Max Verstappen: F1 chiefs slammed for strange punishment by Formula E ace
FORMULA E driver Sam Bird has slammed Formula One chiefs for their strange punishment inflicted on Max Verstappen.
F1: Max Verstappen insults Ocon following clash in Brazil
Verstappen was told he would have to complete ‘community service’ for pushing Esteban Ocon following their crash at the Brazilian Grand Prix last year.
The Dutchman was leading the race when Ocon attempted to un-lap himself and the pair collided.
Tempers flared in the paddock and Verstappen pushed his rival in the chest.
But the punishment dished out was to attend Saturday’s Formula E race at the Circuit International Automobile Moulay El Hassan.
However, Virgin driver Bird was unhappy with the message the punishment sends out.
“I mean, to call coming to Formula E race ‘community service’ I think does Formula E a bit of an injustice,” Bird said.
“It shouldn’t be a punishment to come here.
“I hope he enjoyed it and I hope he will give good feedback to some of his colleagues.”
Meanwhile, Verstappen claims he learnt a lot from spending the day with the safety stewards.
“It’s interesting to see it from the other side,” Verstappen said.
“Normally you can’t spend an entire day with the stewards!
“Everybody does their own job during the weekend, and it’s good to really see what it takes to make these important decisions.
Max Verstappen says Ocon took 'stupid risk' over crash
“Sometimes a decision might not be nice for a certain person but it has to be taken and you have to follow the rules.
“I think it’s good to experience different things in racing rather than just sitting in the car. To be here and do this kind of work has been a constructive thing for me.”
Verstappen also spoke highly of the newly formed motorsport.
“I’ve of course followed Formula E a bit on TV but I’ve never been in the paddock, and I really enjoyed the day,” he added.
“First of all it was a really exciting race. The championship is clearly growing and there are a lot of manufacturers here, so I think it’s a cool series.”