ABU DHABI -- Force India has accused Renault's Nico Hulkenberg of a "deliberate ploy" to bend the Formula One rulebook after he escaped a penalty for a race-altering incident on the opening lap with Sergio Perez.
Hulkenberg was pushed across the run-off area at Turn 11 to pass Perez as they battled for seventh early in the race. Despite complaints by Perez that he unfairly gained an advantage, Hulkenberg refused to give back the position as he claimed the Force India driver had forced him wide -- something replays later suggested was a bold claim given the positioning of both cars.