Max Verstappen and Esteban Ocon had some drama in the race when the two collided in the second corner in the latter stages of the race, but the drama continued off the track when Verstappen and Ocon collided after the race. The physical altercation between the two drivers has landed Verstappen with two days of mandatory public service, enforced by the FIA.
Tensions were high after the race. It had been just under 20 minutes since the Force India collided with the Red Bull while attempting to unlap himself. Ocon was given a 10 second stop go penalty, but that was of little interest to Verstappen, who had lost the lead of a race which he had dominated all afternoon, despite a poor qualifying performance.
A physical shoving match between the drivers took place post-race while Ocon was waiting in line to be weighed. While waiting in line, which Brendon Hartley in front of him and Valtteri Bottas behind, Ocon was greeted by a frustrated Verstappen, who had angrily stormed his way into the room. Verstappen approached and the two appear to exchange words. Verstappen then shoved Ocon and began yelling.
Ocon appears to place his hand on Verstappen’s chest to back him away, but Verstappen hits away the Frenchman’s arm. Verstappen again shoves Ocon, who backs off of the elevated platform that the two were standing on. Verstappen, with some encouragement from the FIA personnel standing in the room, begins to walk away. Ocon follows him, still talking to the angry Dutchman. Verstappen turns around to give Ocon a final shove before marching out of the room.
The incident lasted about 20 seconds and no one was hurt, but it did catch the eye of the FIA stewards, who promptly summoned the duo to their quarters after the post-race interviews. The stewards discussed the confrontation and reviewed CCTV footage of the incident, acknowledging that Verstappen initiated the altercation and saying that his behavior was “inappropriate for a sportsman and role model of the Dutchman’s stature”.
A statement from the stewards read:
“The Stewards understood from Max Verstappen that he was extremely upset by the incident on track during the race and accepted his explanation that it was not his original intent to strike Ocon, but that he was “triggered” and caused him to lose his temper.
While sympathetic to Verstappen’s passion, the Stewards determined that it is the obligation of sportsmen at this level to act appropriately and as role models to other drivers at all levels and found that Verstappen failed in this respect.”
The stewards decided that Verstappen must complete two days of public service determined by the FIA. The public service must be completed by May of next year.
The official Formula One social media accounts posted footage of the incident recorded by onlookers:
There was contact on the track, and a bit off it too ?? #BrazilGP ???? #F1 pic.twitter.com/OajZ1UM4lL
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 11, 2018
“At the end of the day I am a passionate sportsman that wants to win,” Max Verstappen told the press after the race. “this situation is frustrating and shows emotion when competing at the highest level. It is now important to take the positives from the race and the rest of the weekend and carry on the momentum into Abu Dhabi.”
Esteban Ocon was unhappy with the Dutchman’s behavior after the race, saying that he was “saddened by his behaviour after the race: he was very aggressive and the guys from the FIA had to intervene. That’s not the way to handle these things.”
