Sebastian Vettel has praised Max Verstappen's "excellent" podium-charging performance in Brazil, having initially aimed fresh criticism at his Red Bull rival in the aftermath of the manic Interlagos race.

Verstappen revealed at a media event in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday the Ferrari driver had texted him after the last race to discuss several subjects. An unhappy Vettel had described Verstappen's late-race move on him as "not correct" after he was forced to take to the grass.

The four-time champion was coy about the details of the text conversation when asked about it on Thursday, but did acknowledge Verstappen's stunning drive in the treacherous conditions which left observers reaching for superlatives.

"I don't know if nowadays are different, but whatever I talked with Max [about] is between Max and myself. So I can't share much," said Vettel.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen was voted driver of the day, and after this display in the Brazilian Grand Prix, you can see why. Red Bull's Max Verstappen was voted driver of the day, and after this display in the Brazilian Grand Prix, you can see why.

"But he did a good race. I saw a little bit after the race and obviously he did a great job coming through the field and finishing on the podium.

Verstappen vows to stay focussed

"I was not so happy after the race because I had the target with the last Safety Car to get the podium with only two cars in front, but I struggled to get going again.

"I think he drove an excellent race."

Vettel and Verstappen, F1's two youngest-ever race winners, have had several on-track run-ins this season with their clash at Interlagos coming just two weeks after the German was incensed by the Red Bull driver's defensive tactics in Mexico.