Force India team principal Otmar Szafnauer jumped to the defence of Esteban Ocon after the controversial clash with Max Verstappen during the Brazilian Grand Prix.
On lap 44, Ocon had tried to un-lap himself against race leader Verstappen with an aggressive move into Senna S.
The pair clashed and duly spun on the exit of the corner, this caused the Dutchman to lose the race lead against World Champion Lewis Hamilton and considerable damage to his RB14.
Szafnauer has maintained Ocon had the right to try and un-lap himself and felt Verstappen should have left more room for the Frenchman during their tussle.
Ocon was handed a 10-second stop/go penalty for his transgression which dropped down the field and eventually finished 15th place.
"Esteban had done a good job making up ground from the back of the grid and would have probably finished in P11 if it hadn’t been for the clash with Verstappen," said Szafnauer.
"The rules state that you’re allowed to un-lap yourself and Esteban was much faster than Max at that stage. Unfortunately, he wasn’t left any space in the corner and that ruined the race for both."
After the race, Verstappen got into a physical altercation with Ocon at the weighbridge, the 21-year was subsequently given two days of FIA community service for his actions.
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