After months of being the centre of criticism from fellow drivers and reporters, Max Verstappen took the opportunity for payback after Sebastian Vettel collided with Valtteri Bottas at Sunday's French GP.The Ferrari driver was caught out running in close proximity to the two Mercedes drivers at the start of the race at Paul Ricard, locked his brakes and made contact with the left-rear of Valtteri Bottas, damaging his front wing and puncturing the Finn's tyre.After pitting for repairs, both would make their through the field, with Vettel eventually finishing fifth while Bottas was only seventh.The Red Bull driver would be one of the main beneficiaries, as he completed another flawless drive to finish second, claiming what was his third podium in four races and didn't hold back when asked about Vettel by Sky Sports.“I hope when we get to Austria, the journalists ask him if he will change his approach because that is what l heard for so many races,” Verstappen said.“It really annoyed me and was stupid to ask. I’m getting annoyed about it. Mistakes happen and they happen to the best of us. But it makes me angry because they won’t be as bad on him as they were on me.“All the time they came to me on how l should change my approach and these stupid comments. I didn’t change a thing and now everything is going right.”In the post-race press conference, race winner Lewis Hamilton was critical of the five-second time penalty his main championship rival was given, querying if it's fair for a driver to cause a collision yet still finish ahead of who he took out.

The 20-year-old then echoed many of his earlier comments, speaking directly to those who have been constantly negative about his approach

"Yea, I think the next time you see Seb, you should ask him to change his style because it's not acceptable," he said, drawing a smile from Hamilton.

"That's what they said to me in the beginning of the season so I think they should do the same.

"That's my advice to everyone in this room," he added, pointing to the reporters.

Talking about his race, Verstappen believes he got the most in P2 as challenging Hamilton was likely not possible.

“I tried to follow Lewis. He was controlling the pace," he claimed.

“I didn’t have to work very hard for it but it’s good to be in the podium.”