Perez 'surprised' by stewards' clearing of Sainz responsibility

Force India's Sergio Perez was at a loss to understand why Carlos Sainz had been left off the hook by the stewards after yesterday's coming together between the two men.

Perez attempted to overtake the Renault driver at Turn 1 right after the restart of the race after a four-lap Safety Car period, but the pair came together, Sainz pitching his rival sideways across the grass and well down the order.

"I overtook him into Turn 1, gave enough room, but I don't know what was the reason I got hit," said Perez.

"I was surprised that we didn't see any penalty because I was ahead and I tried to give as much room as possible to make sure both cars went into the corner. But it happened.

"I managed to save the car because I was going to go straight into the wall. Luckily I managed to save it and we kept going."

• Force India's Fernley discards Rich Energy buy-out rumors

While the two cars emerged unscathed from the squabble, the incident obviously compromised Perez's afternoon, a fact that logically upset Force India COO Otmar Szafnauer.

"Sergio was racing very well until Sainz hit him, forcing him off the road, and dropped him outside the points," said Szafnauer.

"He had made the overtake so it was extremely disappointing to lose four or five places as a result. It effectively ended his afternoon."

Force India altered Perez's tyre strategy in an attempt to bring him back into contention for a sport among the top ten. To no avail unfortunately as the Mexican finished a distant P14.

"We tried something different with the strategy – going for a two-stopper – but it wasn’t enough to get back in the points.

"Overtaking was impossible, with these cars you can’t follow another car and pass them unless you have a big advantage.

"It’s a shame because I feel we had the pace to be mixing with the Renaults and we should have scored some good points."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

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