FIA, Sergio Perez, 2018 Singapore Grand Prix, dailycarblog.com
Why The FIA Should Shit All Over Sergio Perez After Singapore
Formula One
When Sergio Perez was involved in two race incidents during the 2018 Singapore Grand Prix the FIA were found to be absent. The Singapore GP is like a bigger and faster version of Monaco. The first collision occurred at the start of the race. The opening lap, Perez battled for position in a mele of other drivers battling for position. Teammate Sebastian Ocon was lining up an overtake on the outside, Perez accidentally on purpose closed the door sending Ocon crashing into the wall and out of the race. There can be no doubt Perez did so deliberately, by his own admission Perez had the spatial awareness to know Ocon was by his side. You do not need to know the rules of racing to realise employing such a tactic is dangerous, to say the least. Basic racing etiquette dictates that you should give your fellow competitor room to avoid a potential collision. This isn’t a written rule, it’s basic common sense. You do not need to be an FIA race steward with many years of racing experience to realise Sergio Perez deliberately forced his teammate into the wall. The race stewards gave Perez the benefit of the doubt. It’s always frenetic at the start of a race in heat of the midfield. And Perez issued a calculated apology over the team radio. Fair enough, but he should have been given a penalty. Perez got away with the crime at the scene of the incident. It’s a professional, high-speed hit and run. The second collision occurred on lap 33, this time Sirotkin was in Perez’s line of fire. Perez, on a fresher set of tyres, felt he was being held up by Sirotikin. The Williams driver was on a long stint, his tyres were beginning to lose the will to live. However, Perez and Sirtokin were battling for position. Perez found it difficult to overtake. After many laps, Perez grew increasingly frustrated until he could take no more. Side by side going into a slow chicane Perez drove into the side of Sirotkin’s Williams in a display deplorable driving. The Williams suffered damage both finished the race. For his part, Perez picked up nothing more than a drive-through penalty. He should have been black-flagged. For their part, the FIA and the race stewards seemed to be caught in the headlights smoking a giant spliff. Perez is a seasoned campaigner, a fast driver who regularly delivers a string of consistent points finishes for Force India. Points finishes can mean big rewards for the team worth millions in prize money. The value Perez brings to Force India is not just about delivering results. He also brings with him sponsorship, he effectively pays to drive for Force India. And Force India, in recent times was on the verge of bankruptcy. So the Perez money was vital for survival. However, with Force India now under new billionaire ownership, Perez’s stature within the team he pays to drive for may be lessening. But this isn’t about Perez’s driving contract or influence within Force India, that is a private business decision for both parties. Such arrangements are nothing new in F1. This is about the FIA seemingly turning a blind eye to dangerous driving while advocating and delivering improved safety. What is the point of developing new safety technologies when drivers such as Perez are using their vehicles as battering rams? Does the FIA not know what a black flag is? Come on FIA and race stewards, get your finger out of your arses and act with some integrity and consistency.  FIA, Sergio Perez, 2018 Singapore Grand Prix, dailycarblog.com
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