Quadruple Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen apologized to McLaren's Oscar Piastri after a first corner collision sent the Australian to the back of the field at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The incident could have been disastrous for McLaren, who were fighting Ferrari for the F1 constructors' title and emerged on top thanks to Piastri's teammate Lando Norris winning from pole position.
"I apologized to Oscar. I never want to crash with anyone, especially not Oscar who is a great guy," Verstappen told Sky Sports television.
"I went up the inside because we had a really good launch but then I realized that it was going to be tight at the apex.
"I tried to stay on the kerb but unfortunately we clipped with the tyres, hooked each other and both spun. It's not great, as simple as that."
Piastri fought back to 10th and McLaren were champions for the first time in 26 years by 14 points.
While Verstappen apologized to Piastri, he was less complimentary about the stewards who handed him a 10 second penalty for causing the collision.
"Could we ask for 20 seconds, stupid idiots," he said, a reference to the two 10 second penalties he received in Mexico in October.
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