Max Verstappen is able to see the funny side of his Brazilian Grand Prix nightmare from 2018, saying that losing a race win at Interlagos may have been down to the influence of karma.

Verstappen was set to win in Brazil 12 months ago, only for a back-marking Esteban Ocon to try and unlap himself after emerging from the pits on fresh tyres.

The pair collided at Turn 2, pitching each other into a spin, with Verstappen uttering, "What an idiot!" as Lewis Hamilton skirted around the danger to take the lead and ultimately the race win.

After coming home second behind the Mercedes, a furious Verstappen sought out Ocon in the weighing room and shoved him after not getting an apology he was seeking, later calling the Frenchman a "pussy" in the post-race press conference.

A year on, and back at Interlagos, Verstappen pointed out that his father Jos had been involved in a similar incident at the same track in 2001 – then crashing into Juan Pablo Montoya as the Colombian led the race.

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"Honestly, I can laugh about it now," the Dutchman told Sky Sports of his Ocon fracas.

"It happened. I think it was karma from my Dad back in the day. Now I've got it back. My dad took out the leader when he got lapped, so it was karma.

"It had to happen to me."

Verstappen Jnr will start Sunday's race in prime position to make amends for the disappointment of 2018, having secured pole position ahead of Sebastian Vettel and Hamilton.