The first practice session at Imola has been red flagged with twenty minutes to go, as a result of a bizarre incident between Red Bull’s Sergio Perez and Alpine’s Esteban Ocon.
The exact circumstances are yet to emerge, due to technical issues with Formula 1’s world feed for broadcasters. Footage of the incident hasn’t been released, but Perez and Ocon appear to have made contact entering the Villeneuve chicane.
Perez was left facing the wrong way with a blown left rear tyre, while there was minor right front damage to Ocon’s Alpine. Both clambered free under the red flag, while the cars were recovered.
RED FLAG 🔴
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 16, 2021
The session is halted as Sergio Perez has a problem with his rear left wheel – and Esteban Ocon suffers collateral damage 👀
Both are out of their cars and their FP1 is over #ImolaGP 🇮🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/aZKrVqdAGm
Back to the garage for Esteban Ocon's car following the incident with Sergio Perez
— Formula 1 (@F1) April 16, 2021
Race against time for the team to get the car ready for FP2 🧑🔧
Meanwhile, we're back under way following the red flag
10 minutes to go #ImolaGP 🇮🇹 #F1 pic.twitter.com/IJVvXVhx8I