Gasly escapes race ban for incident with teammate Ocon
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F1 2023 Australian Grand Prix – Full Race results from Round 3Verstappen accuses Hamilton of ‘not respecting’ rules in first-lap battleThe Alpine teammates made contact with each other at the final restart, a disastrous moment which cost them both points.They were called to face the stewards and the stakes were particularly high for Gasly, who already has 10 penalty points to his name. A further two points added, if he was guilty for the incident in Melbourne, would have resulted in a ban for the next race at the F1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix.But stewards have now confirmed it was a “racing incident” and added: “Both cars recognised and accepted this as such. In the circumstances, we took no further action.”Why have Mercedes & Red Bull dominated F1 so much?Video of Why have Mercedes & Red Bull dominated F1 so much?Ocon said after the race: “I have a headache, it was a hard hit, but I’m tough! We had good pace, similar to the Astons and Ferrari.”We were doing a good race but the red flag killed our strategy.”It could have been anyone that I collided with, because there were a lot of cars. It ended up being Pierre who left me no space.”No hard feelings. He came to apologise.”Gasly said: “I am extremely disappointed with the outcome. I was racing with the Ferrari and Fernando Alonso. I was running P5 on pace. I can’t believe what happened.”I don’t want to comment on the end.”This clash between the French duo will become the first test of a relationship which was rumoured to be tense before the season started.Related F1 drivers agree: “Three practice sessions not needed, not necessary” Horner makes “unfair” admission about Gasly, Albon’s time with Red BullGasly is a new recruit at Alpine, but his history with his compatriot Ocon goes back to their childhood when they dreamed of becoming F1 drivers. They have reportedly endured a rollercoaster relationship in the years since.The Alpine drivers have played down those claims before the season started, but it will now come under the microscope even more.
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