Verstappen: No regrets over ‘really calm’ Ocon push
Max Verstappen says he has no regrets about pushing Formula 1 rival Esteban Ocon following the Brazilian Grand Prix, adding he felt his actions “could have been a lot worse”.
Verstappen approached Ocon after he collided with Force India backmarker while leading the race as Ocon attempted to unlap himself. The clash cost the Dutchman victory, with Lewis Hamilton instead inheriting the win.
Max Verstappen says he has no regrets about pushing Formula 1 rival Esteban Ocon following the Brazilian Grand Prix, adding he felt his actions “could have been a lot worse”.
Verstappen approached Ocon after he collided with Force India backmarker while leading the race as Ocon attempted to unlap himself. The clash cost the Dutchman victory, with Lewis Hamilton instead inheriting the win.
The Red Bull driver was handed two days of public service which he will have to serve for the FIA as punishment for his heated physical confrontation with Ocon.
Speaking to the media ahead of this weekend’s season-finale in Abu Dhabi, Verstappen said he felt his response had been “really calm”.
When asked if he had any regrets over his actions, he replied: “No not really because I was after an apology and I got a different response.
“We are all emotional and just at the time I lost the victory so I think from my side I was really calm. It could have been a lot worse.
“I think pushing in any sport, it happens. I actually saw a few days ago in football again, so from my side I thought it was quite a calm response.
“What do you expect me to do, like shake his hand? Say thank you very much for being second instead of first. I think it’s quite a normal response.
“OK I got my two days [of public service] with the FIA, which we will find out what we are going to do.
“But you guys don’t actually hear what’s being said at the scales, you just see me pushing but if you understand the whole conversation it’s a bit different.”
When pressed on what had been said between the pair at the weighing scales, Verstappen said: “Something I didn’t expect to hear. It doesn’t matter what it was at the end of the day because it clearly pissed me off, instead of let’s say an apology.
“Maybe after the race, it’s still in your body, you maybe don’t get the right answer. Like I said, we’re not robots, we have emotions and it will always be [like that] unless you put robots in the car but I don’t think we want that.”
