Mercedes advised Ocon on how to deal with Perez

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At the height of his rivalry this season with Force India team mate Sergio Perez, Esteban Ocon sought advice from Mercedes on how to deal with the tensions.

Ocon and Perez found themselves often racing each other at the outset in 2017. The duo clashed in Canada and came together in Baku, aggravating tensions between Force India's pink panthers.

It all came to a head at Spa however where the pair made contact twice, with Ocon claiming his team mate "tried to kill me", an assertion which did not go down well with the Mexican.

The rivalry and off-track tensions left Force India no other choice but to initiate team orders to keep both drivers in check.

Ocon shrugs off Perez 'under pressure' claims

Ocon now reveals that following the contentious episode at Spa, he sought advice from Mercedes boss Toto Wolff.

"It was probably the first thing I did was to call him [Wolff] and see how they dealt with Lewis and Nico back then,” the Frenchman told Motorsport.com.

"Definitely I asked for advice and they [Mercedes] were there to help me. I had their point of view, I had Force India’s point of view.

"It’s always helpful to get different point of views, but especially from Mercedes. They are world champions so they know what they are talking about.

"I can’t go into detail but it was just a good help. You take it because it’s always good advice."

Ocon insisted that he and Perez had put the past behind and rekindled a working relationship for the sake of their team's best interests.

"It’s important we have respect for each other and it’s important for the team that there is a good atmosphere and we work together to develop the car correctly," he said.

"We are maybe not going to go on holidays together, but we get along well."

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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.