Furious Max Verstappen comes to blows with Esteban Ocon in astonishing paddock meltdown after smash with backmarker denied him victory
Red Bull driver was leading Brazilian Grand Prix ahead of Lewis Hamilton when he was hit by Force India rival as he attempted to lap him
RAGING Max Verstappen almost came to blows with Esteban Ocon after his hopes of victory in Brazil were snatched away from him.
Verstappen, 21, was leading at Interlagos, ahead of Lewis Hamilton, when he attempted to overtake Ocon on lap 44.
But the Racing Point Force India driver was in no mood to be overtaken as he held his ground against the Red Bull ace.
And that led to a collision, causing Verstappen’s car to momentarily shoot up into the air before spinning off, allowing eventual winner Hamilton to take the lead.
It was a lead he held for the remaining 27 laps as he added the constructors' title to his drivers' world title.
The Dutchman unleashed a furious X-rated rant over the Red Bull team radio talking about Ocon, saying: “What a f**king idiot, what a f**king idiot.
“I hope I can't find him now in the paddock because that guy has a f**king problem. What a ****. The car was amazing the whole race.”
But Verstappen did find his foe back in the paddock and angrily confronted the 22-year-old.
PHEW LEW Lewis Hamilton wins Brazilian GP to hand crown to Mercedes
He marched straight over to Ocon and shoved him several times as his foe pleaded his innocence before Verstappen stomped away while continuing to point and shout at the Frenchman.
Ocon was handed a 10-second penalty after he was deemed to have caused the collision.
Hamilton took advantage of the clash by claim victory and help Mercedes to retain the constructors’ championship.
Verstappen, who ended up finishing second, was found guilty of "starting an altercation, pushing or hitting Ocon forcefully several times in the chest", and failing to "act as a role model to drivers of all levels".
As such, the Dutchman must now serve two days of public service at the FIA's request within the next six months.
Following their explosive altercation, Ocon called Verstappen a "lunatic" on French TV and stood by his move.
He said: "With Max it did not work out.
"That's one thing. But what is worse is Max's behaviour afterwards - being violent, pushing me, wanting to punch me. The FIA had to stop him.
"That is not a professional way of handling things. I would do the same again."
Verstappen, his face still red with anger in the post-race press conference, said: "He (Ocon) has always been an idiot.
"I was trying to do my job, and then suddenly a backmarker is racing you and taking stupid risks."
Verstappen's Red Bull team principal Christian Horner added: "Max has been pretty restrained to be honest with you. It cost him a Grand Prix victory.
"Esteban was lucky to get away with just a push."