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Why Perez and Hamilton weren't investigated

The battle between Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton during the Turkish Grand Prix saw Perez forced to run across the pit lane entry line, leading to questions about why the incident was not investigated. F1 Race Director Michael Masi has given an explanation.

Michael Masi has detailed why Sergio Perez and Lewis Hamilton were not investigated for their battle during the Turkish Grand Prix, which resulted in Perez crossing the pit lane entry. The pair started to fight for position on Lap 35 but Perez defended hard against the seven-time World Champion. At one stage, the Mexican was pushed slightly wide by Hamilton and forced to avoid a bollard near the beginning of the pit lane, though did not enter the pit lane itself and managed to hold Hamilton off for a little longer. Given that Perez had driven on the 'wrong' side of the bollard, there have been questions about why the incident was not investigated. F1 Race Director Masi has explained why this was the case. "I had a look at it, absolutely, but our regulations state in the notes that you only have to keep to the left of the bollard if you're committed to entering [the] pit lane," Masi told select media including RacingNews365.com . "So [there was] nothing in it. It was good, hard racing between the two of them. "Neither team, funnily enough, raised a question. Neither Mercedes nor Red Bull. Good, hard fight, play on." Whilst Perez was heard telling his engineers over team radio that Hamilton had "pushed" him off, Masi reiterated that the stewards do not listen to every piece of radio communication. "We don't listen to every driver's radio," Masi explained. "Generally the teams are very good that, if there's an issue that they want reviewed, as you're all well aware, the radio lights up very quickly!" Perez's defence against Hamilton has earned praise from Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner. "He raced Lewis just as hard as Max [Verstappen] does!" Horner told Sky Sports. "You can see them going wheel-to-wheel [in Turn 14], and he actually ended up in the pit lane! He was [on] the other side of the bollard, Lewis had run him out there." Perez finished the race in third behind teammate Verstappen, whilst Hamilton claimed P5.

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