Max Verstappen apologised to Oscar Piastri after hitting his McLaren car at Turn 1 of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix – but questioned the current penalty procedure in Formula 1.
The 2024 world champion tried to go up the inside of Piastri at the start of the season finale but instead crashed into the Australian, who dropped to the back as a result.
It could have had a huge impact on the constructors’ championship but, ultimately, McLaren still ended its 26-year wait for a teams' title as Lando Norris won and Piastri recovered to 10th.
Verstappen said over team radio that the incident was “unlucky” but revealed he had said sorry to Piastri after the race.
“My launch was good and then I tried to grab the inside and I quickly realised, once I committed to it, that the gap was closing and I wanted to try and get out of it, because I didn't want to naturally, of course, crash with Oscar,” he said.
“But unfortunately, we still clipped each other, but I already apologised to Oscar, it is not what you want to happen, and especially not with him. He's a great guy but it happened, and it is a bit unfortunate.
“The thing was that I think when you're in that position, you're focusing on the car ahead...you commit. When you start first or second, you never really look behind.
“So I went for it, and then I realised, 'shit, he doesn't see me there'. So I was like trying to get out of it, but then we still clipped.”
Verstappen also labelled the stewards “idiots” via team radio for handing him a 10-second penalty for causing the collision.
He continued to question the decision when asked about it after the race, where he eventually finished sixth.
“Of course, that is on me," he added before sarcastically saying "but I was expecting maybe 20 seconds, 30 seconds, I don't know, stop and go! So maybe something to talk about for next time.
“I don't understand anything anymore, but it’s fine, whatever. I'm not going to get angry about stuff like that.
"It's not worth my time and yeah, just have a break. Like I said, the most important thing is that I apologise to Oscar and that's it.”
Piastri was at least pleased to be able to toast constructors’ success with McLaren despite a race to forget for the Australian.
“Probably yes, but he came and apologised straight away,” Piastri told Sky Sports when asked if Verstappen’s overtaking attempt was too optimistic.
“The stewards deemed there was a penalty, so we go again next year, it was a tough race from then on but again, we achieved our main target today and that’s all that matters.
“It was a pretty miserable race for myself but I think, of course, the biggest thing today is we clinched the championship.
"It's a massive credit to everyone and McLaren for what they've achieved this year and I couldn't be prouder of them all.”
