Max Verstappen reveals words to Kimi Antonelli after Austrian GP shunt

Max Verstappen has explained what he said to Kimi Antonelli after the Mercedes driver took him out on the first lap of the Austrian Grand Prix.

The young Italian locked up heading into Turn 3, hitting Liam Lawson and then the Red Bull, which was spun round.

Whilst the New Zealander was able to continue, finishing in sixth for the best result of his F1 career, the other two were instantly forced into retirement.

Antonelli immediately took responsibility for his mistake, confirming that he had apologised to Verstappen. However, the 18-year-old was unsure of what the Dutchman said to him in response.

He was called before the stewards for the crash, with the FIA officials handing him a three-place grid drop for the British Grand Prix - and two penalty points on his super licence.

The four-time F1 drivers' champion, meanwhile, took the collision in his stride, maintaining that the "very big talent" that is Antonelli will learn from his error.

When speaking to media after the race at the Red Bull Ring, the 27-year-old revealed what he said to the rookie driver in the aftermath of the incident.

"I just asked what happened, because he was the only car that was there with me, with his wheel hanging off," the 65-time grand prix winner told media, including RacingNews365.

"So I was like, 'I'm pretty sure that he hit me'.

"And yeah, then, of course, I saw the footage once I came back [to the garage], and it happens.

"Every driver has made a mistake like that in their career. And also, Kimi is a very big talent, so he learns from that, and that's all fine."