“What a Stupid Idiot”: Max Verstappen & Esteban Ocon Reignite 5-Year-Old Bitter History at Las Vegas GP

“When Verstappen and Ocon tangle, it’s often worth watching,” said commentator David Croft. It’s happened before, and it happened again. Max Verstappen and Esteban Ocon found themselves at loggerheads during qualifying at the Las Vegas GP. They both got in each other’s way, but it was Ocon who came off worse, and the Frenchman was audibly furious. But so was Verstappen.

Qualifying was always going to be chaotic in Las Vegas. Track position was crucial. While trying to navigate through the traffic to put in their timed laps, Verstappen and Ocon ended up ruining Q1 for each other.

Verstappen & Ocon had an almost-repeat of Brazil 2018 at the Las Vegas GP

The 2018 Brazilian GP could’ve been Max Verstappen’s first win on Brazilian soil. Only it wasn’t. And it was thanks to Esteban Ocon. Ocon, in his Force India, was lapped by race leader Verstappen. But the Frenchman saw an opportunity to unlap himself and took it. While doing so, he made contact with the Red Bull; both of them spun, and Verstappen had to settle for P2. After the race, the Dutchman went up to Ocon and pushed him multiple times. He had to do community service for his actions, and needless to say, things between them haven’t been the best.

The Las Vegas GP qualifying didn’t make it any better. Before their final flying laps, Ocon was in the elimination zone, and Verstappen (like always) wasn’t under threat of elimination. While preparing for their laps, there were five cars on the Las Vegas Strip slowing down to create a gap. Verstappen and Ocon were among them. Needing to get ahead, Ocon overtook everyone (including Verstappen) to start his lap. Verstappen didn’t like that and got back at him.

As soon as Ocon started his lap and was going into the Turn 1 hairpin, Verstappen overtook him on the inside. Neither of them could salvage their laps from there. While Verstappen got through safely, Ocon couldn’t improve and qualified in P17. Right after the incident, Ocon said, “That’s a joke, honestly. Verstappen diving into Turn 1 like crazy.” Verstappen was just as furious and exclaimed, “What a stupid idiot!”

Read More: Max Verstappen’s Questionable “Clown” Remark Sparks Debate on Sporting Ethics in F1

Although Verstappen had reason to be mad at Ocon for overtaking him, the Frenchman had more to lose. But as a racer, thinking about the driver he’s up against is the last thing anyone would do. Verstappen was frustrated, and he ensured Ocon knew it. But frustration has also been Verstappen’s default setting for the Las Vegas GP.

Max Verstappen could do away with the Las Vegas GP

It all started with the opening ceremony and all the hype around Vegas in general. Seeing as this is a brand-new track, people expected the opening ceremony to have at least something to do with F1, if not the Las Vegas Street Circuit. Instead, it was like a concert, at the end of which the drivers were introduced to the fans. Verstappen called the whole thing “99% show and 1% sporting event.” After the ceremony, he said, “For me, you can skip this. It’s not about the singers. We are just standing up there, looking like a clown.”

His frustrations didn’t stop there, though. After the inaugural day of the Las Vegas GP, which was very disrupted, Verstappen gave his thoughts on the circuit. Having driven it on the simulator, he’d already expressed his dissatisfaction with it, but after driving on it on Thursday, his feelings didn’t change. When asked if he liked the track, Verstappen said, “No, no. I’ve had better tracks in my life. I already said that yesterday. There’s nothing new that I discovered or whatever. But yeah, we just get on with it.”

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What are your thoughts on the circuit? And who do you think was at fault during qualifying? Max Verstappen or Esteban Ocon?