MEXICO CITY (AFP) - Four days after his post-race outburst at the United States Grand Prix, Max Verstappen on Friday (Oct 27) used social media to apologise for the language he used in criticising the race stewards in Austin last Sunday.

The 20-year-old Dutchman took to his Instagram account to confirm his intentions after attempting to apologise during Thursday's news conference at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez ahead of this weekend's Mexican Grand Prix.

"Further to what I said in the FIA Press Conference, I would once again like to apologise for the language that I used following the US Grand Prix," said Verstappen.

"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 Red Bull driver's apology followed some pointed remarks from the FIA's (International Motoring Federation) race director Charlie Whiting, who suggested that an apology was due.

Verstappen was outspoken in his criticism of FIA officials after being demoted from third to fourth having been penalised for running off the circuit to gain an advantage as he passed Kimi Raikkonen of Ferrari on the final lap.

He said that the stewards' decisions were "killing the sport" and referred to one steward as an "idiot".