Force India COO Otmar Szafnauer is confident the tension between Sergio Perez and Esteban Ocon will cool as the latter gains experience.
Relations between the pair have been strained since last month’s Canadian Grand Prix when Perez refused to let his team-mate, who was on fresher tyres, pass as both chased a podium finish.
Then, last time out in Baku, they clumsily collided following a safety car restart, costing both a significant haul of points.
Szafnauer, though, is relaxed about the situation and believes such incidents are merely part of Ocon’s ongoing learning curve.
“I don’t think we had trouble in Canada, it was nothing to do with the drivers,” he told Motorsport.com. “But in Baku definitely, I just think Esteban needs a bit more experience.
“He is young, he hasn’t done a lot of F1 races, and every time this kind of thing happens you learn.
“So he just needs to learn. It is that simple. [Former driver Nico] Hulkenberg has had 110 to 120 races, and Esteban less than 20.”
Szafnauer believes the rivalry will only benefit Perez, forced to raise his game in the face of a fresh challenge.
“He [Perez] is handling himself no differently to when he was here with Hulkenberg,” he said.
“He is a great racing car driver, and the more Esteban pushes him, the more he will raise his level. I think he will get stronger.”
“Esteban is very professional, easy to get on with, and the relationship is good between them. We just have to make sure that they don’t run into each other, it is that simple.”
