Verstappen defends angry reaction to Ocon crash
Max Verstappen launched a staunch defence of his altercation with Esteban Ocon, insisting that it could have been much worse.
The 21-year-old Red Bull driver shoved Ocon in the chest three times after their crash at the Brazilian Grand Prix which cost Verstappen a probable win.
Verstappen was sentenced to two days of community service by Formula One's governing body, the FIA, following the televised incident.
But the Dutchman, who appeared alongside Ocon during a frosty press conference ahead of Sunday's
season-concluding race in Abu Dhabi, said he had no regrets over their fiery clash.
"We are all emotional and at the time I had lost a victory, so I think from my side I was really calm," Verstappen said.
"It could have been much worse. What do you expect me to do? Shake his hand and say 'thank you very much for making me second instead of first'? I think it is quite a normal response."
Verstappen claimed Force India driver Ocon, who is without a drive next year, provoked him after refusing to apologise for the incident.
Ocon was running in 16th and attempted to unlap himself when he collided with Verstappen. At that stage, Verstappen was on course to win, but finished second behind Lewis Hamilton, while Ocon was dealt a 10 second stop and go penalty, the most severe punishment available to the stewards bar disqualification.
“You don't hear what is said, and you just see me pushing,” Verstappen added. “But if you understand the whole conversation you will see it as a bit different.
“He said something that I didn't expect to hear. It doesn't matter what it was at the end of the day because it clearly p***ed me off.
“I don't expect to crash with a backmarker. If you get hit like that, I honestly don't understand what I should do differently.”