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Verstappen on Brazil: Ocon yelled 'get the cameras' and 'push me!'

Verstappen on Brazil: "Ocon yelled 'get the cameras' and 'push me!'"

28-12-2018 14:34
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Nicolás Quarles van Ufford

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen has revealed that Esteban Ocon was provoking him when they clashed in the paddock after the Brazilian Grand Prix, as the two had already collided on-track, costing Verstappen the win.

Ocon and Verstappen have a history that goes back before F1. The two battled a lot in the Formula 3 championship back in 2014 and were big rivals, often having contact and always scrapping.

Then, at the Brazilian Grand Prix in 2018, the two clashed again. Ocon was trying to unlap himself on race leader Verstappen, which the Dutchman didn't expect. He left the Frenchman no room and they touched, spinning the Red Bull around and damaging his floor. Lewis Hamilton, who was in second place several seconds behind, took the opportunity to overtake Verstappen and take the win. Verstappen was absolutely furious with Ocon.

"Something like this happens often enough in other sports," the 21-year-old told AD when looking back on the incident, as he shoved Ocon in the paddock when he saw him.

"I think it's a bit strict," he referenced to his penalty for the shove, as he has to do community service for the FIA now.

"My reaction was calm, if anything. I didn't hit him.

"I wanted to know why he did what he did. Then he started to laugh at me. I found that an inappropriate reaction, because I lost the race because of him. When I shoved him out of disbelief, he immediately started yelling: 'get the cameras' and 'push me, push me'.

"I don't hold back, I don't care about the cameras."