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FIA 'more than happy' to investigate Perez's Monaco crash

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem says F1's governing body would be "more than happy" to investigate Sergio Perez's crash at Monaco earlier this year if he feels there are grounds to open an inquiry into the matter.

Suspicions of foul play on the part of Perez emerged this week in the wake of the team order row that erupted at the end of the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Max Verstappen said he had his "reasons" to reject the order from Red Bull to let Perez past on the final lap of last weekend's race in Sao Paulo.

The comment - which led to speculation that the Dutchman's snub was a payback for Perez deliberately crashing in Monaco to protect his pole position from his teammate - put last May's incident in the Principality under fresh scrutiny, with suggestions that telemetry data and throttle traces from Perez's car differed significantly on the lap on which he crashed at Portier than on previous passages through the corner.

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Chiming in on the speculation, Ben Sulayem said that the FIA wouldn't be afraid to eventually tackle the issue and investigate Perez's crash.

"I didn’t have anyone who said we want to investigate it from our side," Ben Sulayem told media at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

"But if there is something to be investigated, we are more than happy. One thing truly I would say, I’m not shy or afraid of conducting or going into it if there is an issue. I will not hide.

"I will be even raising my hand and saying [if] there is an issue with the FIA. Otherwise, if I cannot do this, you will never improve and never evolve. That I can guarantee."

In Thursday's press conference at Yas Marina, Perez was asked quite bluntly if he had crashed on purpose to deprive Verstappen of a chance to snatch Monaco's all-important pole.

But the Mexican rubbished the speculation.

"Everyone makes mistakes in Monaco in general places in qualifying. And it's not like it was done on purpose," Perez said.

"I mean, I'm chasing the lap time in Monaco. You can review the whole lap, you can already see that I nearly crashed in Turn 1, I'm just giving it everything, it's the last run of Q3."

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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.