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

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."

• Williams set to hunt down Force India after Baku podium - Lowe

 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.”

GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter