In a shocking turn of events, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was involved in a furious altercation with Esteban Ocon at the Brazilian Grand Prix. The Dutch driver completely lost his cool, pushing Ocon forcefully in the chest after a heated exchange in the FIA Weigh Bridge Garage. The incident occurred following a racing incident between the two drivers, which Verstappen felt was unacceptable.
The trouble began when Verstappen and Ocon clashed on track, with Ocon’s car making contact with Verstappen’s, causing him to lose position. Verstappen, who had been leading the race, was incensed by Ocon’s move and confronted him in the garage. The confrontation quickly escalated, with Verstappen pushing Ocon and shouting at him. Other drivers and officials intervened to separate the pair, but the damage was done.
The FIA was swift to act, summoning both drivers to the stewards to explain their actions. Verstappen was handed a five-second penalty, dropping him to fourth place in the sprint race. He also received one penalty point on his superlicence, taking his total to seven points over the last 12 months. The FIA deemed Verstappen’s actions as “unacceptable” and stated that he had gained a sporting advantage.
Verstappen has since apologized for his behavior, acknowledging that he lost his temper. “I was extremely upset by the incident on track,” he said. “I shouldn’t have reacted like that, it’s not acceptable.” Verstappen’s team, Red Bull Racing, has also issued a statement, saying that they are working with Verstappen to address to his behavior.
The incident is unlikely to have a significant impact on the championship, with Verstappen still in a strong position to win the title. However, it does highlight the intense pressure and emotions that come with competing at the highest level of motorsport. As the season enters its final stages, all eyes will be on Verstappen to see if he can bounce back from this incident and secure his fourth World Drivers’ Championship.
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