“It was never great” – Perez on relationship with Ocon

Sergio Perez has revealed that his relationship with now former teammate Esteban Ocon was “never great”.

The two drivers had spent two years driving alongside each other at Force India. Finishing seventh in this years constructors championship whilst dealing with having to start from zero points after the team were, led by Lawrence Stroll, taken over in the summer. They reached a joint best fourth in the constructors in 2017.

Back in Azerbaijan and Belgium in 2017 the pair collided with each other, leaving tensions high. This caused Force India to use team orders to manage their drivers accordingly on the track.

However, they clashed again on track at this year’s Singapore Grand Prix.

“To be honest it was never great, the greatest one,” Perez said.

“I’ll say that with my past teammates, there was more of an outside relationship.”

 “I’ve had it before, with [Nico] Hulkenberg. It’s always hard, we are so competitive, and also when you are not teammates anymore, the relationship all of a sudden gets a bit better. It depends.”

Perez will drive alongside Lance Stroll in 2019 as Ocon lost his seat to the Canadian. The Frenchman has been made reserve driver for Mercedes next year and could well be in contention for a seat in 2020.

 “In Formula 1, it’s so difficult to prepare, to know a driver from another team. 95 percent of your results is done by the car. He’s certainly had a poor season down to his car. I think Williams had a lot of trouble.” Perez said of Stroll joining the team.

“But the kid definitely has talent. He’s been on the podium, when it’s wet, he’s always up there, and I think he’s coming to a great team with one of the best engineers in the world.”