F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Perez and Albon at odds over final point scrap and clash

Alex Albon claimed the final point in Sunday's Hungarian Grand Prix but Racing Point's Sergio Perez says the Toro Rosso driver forced the issue during their scrap together to secure P10.

Albon and Perez came together in the closing stages of the race when the former lunged down the inside of the latter at the first corner.

Where Albon saw a proper gap and an opportunity to snatch tenth, the Mexican claimed his rival had crashed into him although he admitted the move wasn't worthy of a review by the stewards.

"The contact was very clear, there was some damage into my car," said Perez.

"The [FIA] should let us race, but the contact is unnecessary from my point of view. I don't think they have to do anything about it, but the contact was just unnecessary."

From Albon's points of view, the contact resulted from Perez closing the door late into the corner.

"We had the run on him, and he left a space on the inside, so I went for it, and then he closed the space, but to be honest he still left me enough space," Albon told Sky F1.

"I thought the move was done, and then he turned in on the apex when I was next to him.

"We had a bit of a clatter, but nothing serious. It's that thing where you come out of the corner and you're like 'I hope my steering's straight' - and it was, so it was OK."

While Perez lamented the outcome of his squabble with the British-Thai racer, he felt he had put in a good performance overall given his lowly P16 position on the grid.

"It was a very good start, very good first lap. Managed to get some good positioning," Checo said.

"In the first stage we were just managing and then for a very aggressive strategy we managed to undercut Grosjean and Hulkenberg.

"Great race, we gave it everything, hopefully the second half of the season will be promising for us."

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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.

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