During the 2018 Brazilian Grand Prix, on a sweltering afternoon at Interlagos, Max Verstappen appeared destined for his second grand prix victory.
The Red Bull driver had built a commanding lead over Lewis Hamilton. However, on lap 44 of 71, a clash with Esteban Ocon sparked one of the most infamous post-race altercations in modern F1.
The incident unfolded at turn two when the Frenchman, two laps down and driving for Force India, attempted to unlap himself against the race leader.
Fresh from the pit lane on new super soft tyres, he made his move on the outside of turn one before the pair collided entering turn two. Verstappen spun, Hamilton inherited the lead, and a certain victory evaporated.
"What a fucking idiot! What a fucking idiot," Verstappen screamed over his team radio.
The stewards later deemed Ocon responsible for the collision, handing the Force India driver a 10-second stop-and-go penalty and three penalty points on his FIA super licence.
Their ruling was unequivocal: as a lapped car, Ocon had fought the leader for track position, causing the collision.
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The garage confrontation
What happened next transformed controversy into infamy. In the FIA weighbridge garage, a seething Verstappen confronted Ocon directly, and according to the stewards' report, "started an altercation, pushing or hitting Ocon forcefully several times in the chest."
The incident, captured on French television cameras, showed Verstappen's raw frustration boiling over. The Red Bull driver pushed Ocon three times before officials intervened to separate them.
During the subsequent stewards' hearing, Verstappen explained he was "extremely upset" and had been "triggered" by losing the race, though he insisted it wasn't his original intent to strike Ocon.
The stewards, whilst acknowledging Verstappen's passion, ruled that drivers at his level must act appropriately as role models.
Their verdict was unique: rather than a sporting penalty, Verstappen was ordered to perform two days of public service within six months.
"We are passionate about the sport, it would be odd if I shook his hand," Verstappen said afterwards, remaining defiant about his actions. "I don't really have a lot to comment on that, except that he was being a p****."
Championship glory amid the chaos
Lost in the immediate drama was a historic moment for Mercedes. Hamilton's victory clinched the constructors' championship for the Silver Arrows, its fifth consecutive title.
The achievement placed the Brackley-based squad alongside Ferrari as the only teams to win five straight constructors' crowns.
The race also marked another milestone: it was the first Brazilian Grand Prix since 1973 without a Brazilian driver on the grid, following Felipe Massa's retirement at the end of 2017.
Kimi Raikkonen completed the podium in third, securing what would prove to be his 103rd and final career podium appearance.
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