Verstappen appreciated Colapinto's praise and spoke out against the criticism of young drivers in F1: "Not everyone is my enemy."

Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen recently addressed comments made by rookie driver Franco Colapinto following an incident at the Baku Grand Prix. Verstappen expressed appreciation for Colapinto's remarks and used the opportunity to defend younger drivers, arguing against harsh criticism of their performance and mistakes as they adapt to the sport. He emphasized that his fellow competitors are not his enemies, advocating for a more measured perspective on the development of new talent in the category.

Separately, the Formula 1 circuit is preparing for the return of the Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit after a nine-year hiatus. Drivers face a significant technical challenge due to the track's highly abrasive asphalt, which has been described as resembling sandpaper. Combined with extreme local temperatures, these track conditions are expected to create an unpredictable race environment that could influence performance outcomes for the entire grid.