Force India to its drivers: 'The team comes first!'

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Force India's Vijay Mallya says the Silverstone-based outfit has issued a reminder to both Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon that the team's interests come first.

Perez and Ocon were locked in a heated battle at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix last week after the race was restarted a second Safety Car period.

Perez was in fourth place at the time, with Ocon right behind him when the duo made contact through Turn 2. While Ocon managed to stay in the race, his team made was forced into an early exit.

"We certainly played our part in a dramatic race and it’s still frustrating to ponder what might have been had things played out differently," explained Mallya who said the pair, who also raced wheel to wheel in the closing stages of the Canadian GP, had been reminded of their responsibilities.

"Since Baku we’ve had some conversations internally and reminded our drivers that the team must always come first.

"It’s never acceptable for team-mates to make contact with each other and it certainly cost us points in Baku."

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Mallaya insisted however that Force India would not change its policy of letting its drivers race against each other.

"The events of Azerbaijan won’t change our approach," Mallya insisted.

"Our drivers can race freely and I’m sure they have learned some valuable lessons.

"We’ve given them a competitive car and I know they are mature enough to work together for the good of the team."

Force India is currently fourth in the Constructors' standings and will be looking to increase its 42-point lead over Williams in Austria next weekend.

"This weekend in Austria will be another opportunity to show the speed of the VJM10 and continue our run of points finishes.

"We need to keep up our momentum and scoring points consistently to maintain our fourth place in the championship.

"There is no room for complacency and we will keep pushing and trying to maximise every race.”

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.