F1 radio issue a factor as Perez and Ocon avoid penalty for clash

Red Bull Formula 1 driver Sergio Perez and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon have avoided any penalty after an “unfortunate miscommunication of timing” led to their FP1 collision at Imola.

Both drivers were summoned to the stewards after an unseen clash in opening practice for this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, but the FIA took no further action over the incident.

An F1 data problem that affected the world TV feed meant that no replays or onboard footage of the collision were shown, but contact was made between the right front and left rear of Ocon and Perez.

Both Perez and Ocon agreed that neither driver was to blame for the accident, while the stewards also noted that radio communication problems experienced by the teams throughout first practice did not help.

Following the hearing, the stewards account read: "Ocon slowed before Turn 5 in order to let Perez by, as well as moving entirely to the inside of the turn. Perez was on a fast lap. The two cars reached the apex at the same time, and just barely touched wheels.

"In the end, both drivers agreed in the hearing that it was an unfortunate miscommunication of timing between them, not helped by the fact that both drivers had limited or no communications with their teams at the time. Both drivers agreed that neither was at fault."

RED FLAG

The session is halted as Sergio Perez has a problem with his rear left wheel - and Esteban Ocon suffers collateral damage

Both are out of their cars and their FP1 is over #ImolaGP #F1 pic.twitter.com/aZKrVqdAGm

— Formula 1 (@F1) April 16, 2021

F1’s technical difficulties had a direct effect on data for the teams and radio communications, and Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto said he hopes the “big problem” will be rectified in time for FP2.

“Certainly it was a big problem,” he explained. “I don’t know if all the teams had exactly the same problems but for us it was very difficult, especially on Charles [Leclerc], there was no way of communicating to him - so we aborted the first run.

“It’s difficult because you cannot give him advice on cars around, so there can be impeding situations. It was very difficult as well for the drivers to know who is coming behind.

“If you have any problems, you don’t know how to react or to communicate. So those types of problems are serious, we know it wasn’t voluntary by F1 but hopefully it will be addressed and sorted out for FP2 because communicating with the drivers from the pits is important for safety, functionality and reliability.”