Verstappen issues Instagram apology for Austin outburst

Max Verstappen has issued a formal apology for his comments about the FIA stewards' decision to give him a penalty following last weekend's Formula 1 race in Austin, Texas, saying: "I hope we can move on."

Verstappen was hit with a five-second time penalty for cutting a corner and gaining an advantage when passing Kimi Raikkonen on the final lap of the United States Grand Prix, denying him a podium finish.

Verstappen was livid after the race, calling out "one idiot steward" for the decision, understood to be targeted at Garry Connelly after history of decisions going against the Red Bull driver.

While his view on the incident itself has not changed since Sunday, Verstappen admitted on Thursday he was incorrect to use the language he did while expressing his frustration, prompting him to post a formal apology on Instagram.

"Further to what I said during the FIA press conference earlier today, I would once again apologise for the language that I used following the US Grand Prix," Verstappen wrote.

"My comments were made in the heat of the moment, I know that the words I used were inappropriate and they were not directed at any one person.

"I certainly did not mean to cause any offence and I hope we can move on and enjoy this race weekend."

The message came hours after FIA race director Charlie Whiting called for Verstappen to apologise, with the outburst being likened to Sebastian Vettel's tirade against race officials in Mexico last year.