Formula 1 motorsport chief Ross Brawn believes Max Verstappen’s reaction to the incident in Brazil shows he is still unable to “manage his emotions”.
After being taken out by Esteban Ocon while leading, gifting the win to Lewis Hamilton, the Red Bull approached and physically pushed the Frenchman in the weighing area in parc ferme.
Later, the FIA gave him two days public service as punishment for the confrontation but for Brawn it identified a key weakness the Dutchman still has.
“The incident with Ocon was a cruel moment, but in the aftermath, Max showed he has made enormous progress in his career [but he] is still not able to manage his emotions in these situations, an essential next step,” he said.
“Having said that, one mustn’t forget he is still very young and while his conduct wasn’t justifiable we can all understand the frustration he felt after the incident and again at the end of the race, the outcome of which should not cancel out what was an amazing performance from the Dutchman.
“After all, it’s not every day you drive past two Ferraris and two Mercedes.
“Over the past 10 years, no-one has won the Brazilian Grand Prix from further back than the second row, but Max came very close on Sunday.
“I’m sure Max will learn from what happened and that everything that happened, including the penalty he was given, will contribute to his development as a driver and mainly as a man.”
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Brawn then turned to Ocon’s role in the incident and agreed with the 10-second stop/go penalty that was given.
“I don’t think that Ocon was simply thinking of trying to get in the points, I believe it was more the case that he was caught up in the moment and didn’t think it through,” he continued.
“Maybe fighting to the death with the race leader might not have been the best plan, even when that driver is one with whom you had some spirited fights in the lower formulae.”
Verstappen has since suggested that it was the “smile” Ocon had when they met in parc ferme that caused his reaction, but Brawn had a message for both drivers as he concluded.
“Drivers must not forget they are role models for the fans and for youngsters who want to follow in their footsteps,” he said.
“Overall, Sunday was a lesson for both Verstappen and Ocon, one they won’t forget in a hurry. It’s just another part of their learning curve.”