https://youtu.be/G2zfiiFSdMg

This was an odd incident. Verstappen had the opportunity to avoid a collision. Esteban Ocon had the opportunity to avoid a collision. The end result was a collision between the Force India and the Red Bull. For his part, Ocon was trying to unlap himself. For his part, Verstappen was firmly in the lead.

The Brazilian Grand Prix was an exciting race, the Red Bulls had superior race pace. Mercedes, despite qualifying on pole with Hamilton, struggled. Verstappen made daring moves as he made his way up from 5th to 1st. He should have won. However, the collision with the Force India of Ocon caused aero damage and a loss of pace. Esteban Ocon had just made his pitstop and on fresher rubber. Oddly he was faster than Verstappen. Despite being a lap down. Ocon’s Force India also had better straight-line speed, so on the main straight, he was within Verstappen’s DRS range.

Fly-on-the-wall time… #BrazilGP 🇧🇷 #F1 pic.twitter.com/n7G2q2OQTY

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 11, 2018

Verstappen was gliding to victory over second place Lewis Hamilton who was down on having power issues throughout the race. verstappen should have allowed the Force India through to run at its own pace. But Verstappen was in no mode to do so. Going into the Senna S on lap 44 Verstappen was ahead, but on older tyres had less grip available. Ocon, on fresher tyres had more grip. But crucially was behind Verstappen on the exit. So Ocon attempts an overtake on Verstappen, around the outside to unlap himself. You can be sure Verstappen knew exactly where Ocon was, he is too good a driver not to. Verstappen squeezes Ocon in an effort to either stop Ocon unlapping and or intimidate him. To let Ocon know the race leader has priority. This is where both Ocon and Verstappen get it wrong. Two hot heads racing like they are still in the junior formula categories. Though Esteban Ocon is penalised, and rightfully so, Verstappen (as Lewis Hamilton said) had more to lose. And as it turned out, Verstappen’s racing brain wasn’t fully engaged.  

---