Max Verstappen fumes at ‘idiot’ Esteban Ocon after Brazilian Grand Prix smash
MAX VERSTAPPEN launched a scathing attack at Esteban Ocon after the Force India driver cost him victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Verstappen had established a comfortable lead at Interlagos after overtaking pole-sitter Lewis Hamilton.
However, when the Red Bull star tried to lap Ocon on Lap 44, the Frenchman failed to get out of the way and even appeared to try and pass him, causing the pair to collide.
Verstappen span off the track but managed to recover and stay in second place.
However, it left him too far behind Hamilton who eventually went on to win by just over a second.
“(Ocon) was such an idiot, he gets taken out while he's being lapped,” he said.
Red Bull were flying before the incident, with Daniel Ricciardo finishing fourth after putting up a valiant fight for third.
And Verstappen admitted he was surprised by his car’s performance.
“I think the race was better than expected for us today,” he added.
“The car worked well. The strategy worked well. I'm happy with second, but we should have won today.”
The incident allowed F1 champion Hamilton to claim his tenth win of the current season.
And the Brit refused to blame Ocon despite witnessing the collision himself.
"I saw it happen and it wasn't something I was surprised by. I saw them racing,” he said.
“They weren't racing for the same position. Max was able to keep going.
“Max is a 'go get 'em' kind of guy, and every so often, it wipes you."
By winning in Brazil, Hamilton handed Mercedes their fifth successive constructors’ championship.
"These guys have worked so hard over the past six years, it's been an incredible journey,” he added.
“This is what we've worked for every single day. I've always said it's such an honour to drive for them. We were a sitting duck at one stage.
“We were having problems with the engine. I just want to thank everyone. The team give me the tools and I do the best I can."