Max Verstappen laid into Formula One pundits and said that "experts should keep their mouths shut" regarding Franco Colapinto's crash.

The Williams star was not certain to start today's race after undergoing medical testing, having gone into the barriers during qualify.

And following some criticism for the costly crash, with Williams shelling out to get the car ready for the race, Verstappen has come to Colapinto's defence.

"But the experts... should keep their mouths shut," Verstappen said when asked if the step up to F1 was proving difficult for Colapinto.

"It's not easy at all. Everything you do at the limit is not easy. Even if I were to drive a road car on the limit on this circuit, it's not easy either.

"If not, let them do it. Being in front of the camera is often a sign that they can't do it themselves, or that they can't do it anymore."