F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Ocon lashes out at Raikkonen for opening lap clash!

Where most may have seen a simple racing incident, Force India's Esteban Ocon saw only one man responsible for his demise on the opening lap of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix.

Ocon and Raikkonen were barrelling down to Turn 3 after the start when the Ferrari driver made an attempt to pass the Force India on the inside of the corner.

The two made contact, with Ocon pitched into a slide and coming to rest against the outside wall while the Ferrari was able to continue its race.

There were no doubts in the Frenchman's mind about who had been ultimately responsible for the clash.

"Clearly I had a great start, really good, I managed to overtake him in turn 2, I was ahead of him on the straight. I was completely ahead, he was behind," Ocon told French broadcaster Canal +.

"I don't know what he did, he released the brakes and hit me."

A frustrated and obviously disappointed Ocon saw a big opportunity for points being blown away. The 21-year-old also believed that the perpetrator of his demise -as a Ferrari driver - should have been racing further up the field

"It's clearly a missed opportunity after a great start to the weekend. I think Perez is going to score a lot of points, it's good for the team.

"What do we want to tell Kimi? He doesn't talk. He's not in the position he should be with a Ferrari.

"He made a mistake yesterday, he made another one today."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

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

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

‘That was on me’ – Perez owns up to Shanghai tangle with Bottas

Last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix was barely a few corners old before the black-and-white Cadillacs…

7 hours ago

Leclerc defies peers, defends F1 new era: ‘It doesn’t feel artificial’

The 2026 Formula 1 season has touched down with the subtlety of a localized earthquake,…

8 hours ago

Norris: McLaren ‘not at level we need’ but confident of turnaround

Lando Norris was denied the chance to race in Shanghai, but the reigning world champion…

10 hours ago

A picture-perfect St. Patrick's Day!

Bring out your green, for it's St. Patrick's Day, which is the perfect excuse for…

11 hours ago

Wolff's Mercedes heritage flight for past and present stars

Once a Mercedes driver, always a Mercedes driver – and apparently always welcome aboard Toto…

12 hours ago

Very happy Gasly says Alpine now ‘in a completely different league’

Alpine’s Pierre Gasly walked away from last weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix with a smile –…

13 hours ago