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Brawn believes blame is on both sides of Verstappen/Ocon incident

Brawn believes blame is on both sides of Verstappen/Ocon incident

13-11-2018 10:15
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Bobby Vincent

Ross Brawn has admitted there is blame on both Max Verstappen and Esteban Ocon following their controversial incident in Brazil, that sparked the former's tempers.

The Formula One managing director believes both drivers are partly to blame for the incident that ultimately cost Verstappen a win at Interlagos.

Ocon was a lap down on Verstappen, and the leading Dutchman passed the Frenchman; but the Force India man tried to unlap himself and the pair collided, sending Verstappen into a spin.

Tensions were high at the end and Verstappen aggressively confronted Ocon in the FIA garage and pushed him on several occasions. Verstappen has now been handed a two-day public service punishment.

Brawn believes Verstappen's fury at the end should learn to be controlled, if the 21-year-old is to take the "essential next step" in his career.

"The incident with Ocon was a cruel moment, but in the aftermath Max showed he has made enormous progress in his career (but) is still not able to manage his emotions in these situations, an essential next step," Brawn told Crash.net.

"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.

"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."