Max Verstappen has been ordered to carry out two days’ community service by the FIA as punishment for lashing out at Esteban Ocon at the end of the weekend Brazilian Grand Prix, where he finished second.

The Dutchman was leading the race on lap 44 when Ocon, who had been lapped, clipped the back of his Red Bull car while trying to overtake and sent him spinning off the track, allowing Lewis Hamilton to slip between them.

Verstappen raised his middle finger as he passed the Force India driver and vented his frustration in an expletive-ridden outburst on the car-to-pits radio, before confronting Ocon in the paddock. After an exchange of words Verstappen pushed the Frenchman several times in the chest, knocking him off balance.

Despite the damage to his car, Verstappen was able to carry on and finish second, 1.429 seconds behind world champion-elect Hamilton. Ocon was given a 10-second race penalty for causing the collision.

After reviewing the incident, race stewards ordered the 21-year-old to to ‘perform two days of public service at the direction of the FIA’ within six months.

Stewards decision on @OconEsteban and @Max33Verstappen post race incident – 2 days of Community Service to be done within six months. #skyf1 #brazilgp pic.twitter.com/Hj2Zom1euE

— Rachel Brookes (@RachelBrookesTV) November 11, 2018

‘The Stewards understood from Max Verstappen that he was extremely upset by the incident on track during the race and accepted his explanation that it was not his original intent to strike Ocon, but that he was “triggered” and caused him to loose [sic] his temper,’ the stewards said in an official statement.

The confrontation took the gloss off a fine drive by the Dutchman, who moved through the field from his starting position of fifth and overtook Hamilton to take the lead before the crash spoiled his chance of victory.

‘I was just trying to do my race and then a back marker takes a stupid risk,’ he said afterwards. ‘I lost a victory but hopefully in 15 years’ time we can laugh about it.’

Happy to finish 2nd, but we should have won today. The car was brilliant and @redbullracing came with a great strategy. Our race pace was better than expected and we did everything well today. Thanks to all fans for voting me Driver of the Day again 🙌🏻 #KeepPushing #BrazilGP 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/dXmUbf9yXf

— Max Verstappen (@Max33Verstappen) November 11, 2018

An unrepentant Ocon said he was entitled to try to ‘unlap’ himself by passing Verstappen, just after coming out of the pits on fresh tyres. ‘He can be upset but if you are leading the race you have to control it,’ he said.