Verstappen: I don't need to calm down

Max Verstappen has denied he needs to calm down his Formula 1 driving style despite taking the blame for a late clash with Sebastian Vettel during Sunday's Chinese Grand Prix.

Verstappen was hit with a 10-second time penalty and two penalty points on his FIA Super Licence after sending Vettel into a spin when trying to make a late pass at Turn 14 with 13 laps remaining in the race.

Verstappen was still able to finish the race fifth after his penalty was applied, and was seen talking with Vettel about the incident after the race, taking full responsibility after the chequered flag.

"I could see them struggling on the tyres. I tried to brake late into the corner and locked the rears a bit and hit him, so that was of course my fault," Verstappen said.

"It’s not what you want and of course it’s easier to say afterwards I should have waited. It probably would have been the best idea, but unfortunately it happened."

The incident followed another on-track run-in with Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton last weekend in Bahrain, leading to questions about Verstappen's aggressive driving style and whether he made need to tone things down.

Asked if he needed to calm down on-track, Verstappen said: "It's easy to comment that. Just at the moment it’s just not going the way I like, but does it really mean I have to calm down? I don’t think so.

"It’s just very unfortunate those things happening. I just need to analyse everything and try to come back stronger for the next race."