Verstappen explains Ocon push: 'I don't know what his problem is'

Max Verstappen has downplayed his confrontation with Formula 1 rival Esteban Ocon following Sunday's Brazilian Grand Prix, saying "nothing happened" despite video footage emerging of him pushing the Force India driver.

Verstappen was left aggrieved after being spun by the lapped Ocon while leading the race at Interlagos, causing him to drop to second place and sustain damage to his Red Bull car.

After crossing the line second behind Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton, Verstappen confronted Ocon in the FIA garage while the driver weight checks were taking place, with video footage showing him pushing Ocon multiple times.

"I went to him to ask, and he just gave me a stupid response from his side," Verstappen said when asked about the push.

"When you are emotional and stuff like that, and I’m a racer as well.

"At the end of the day, nothing happened. I don’t know what his problem is."

Speaking about the incident on-track, Verstappen called out Ocon for taking a "stupid risk" in trying to unlap himself, for which the Force India driver received a 10-second stop/go penalty and three penalty points on his license.

"It was stupid, stupid risk. Of course you are allowed to unlap yourself, but I mean it’s really weird how that happened," Verstappen said.

"I think the penalty says enough from his side, so from me there’s not much more to comment."

Both Ocon and Verstappen have been called to the stewards over the incident in the FIA garage later this evening.

Julianne Cerasoli contributed to this report.