Esteban Ocon to take five-place grid drop at Canadian GP after dramatic first-lap clash with team mate Pierre Gasly in Monaco

“It was clear to us that the collision was caused solely by the overly
ambitious overtaking attempt, from too far back, by Car 31 [Ocon], and was therefore wholly to blame for the incident,” read the stewards’ verdict.

However, with Ocon retiring from proceedings due to the damage sustained, the penalty would have had no impact on the Frenchman’s day, meaning it has been turned into a five-place grid drop for the next round of the season in Canada.

Speaking to media when he returned to the paddock, Ocon said: “I’m okay. It was a hard launch in the air and a hard landing, but I’ve had worse days on that side of things. I think on that side of things I’m okay.

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“Obviously it’s an unfortunate incident to retire early in the race… a tough one. We tried to basically put the car back in the garage, so we pulled out of the fast lane to try and repair what we could repair.

“Unfortunately, we discovered too much damage sustained [to continue]. A chaotic first lap… I hope that the team can score some points today.”