Max Verstappen has hit back with fury at criticism from 1997 world champion Jacques Villeneuve.

After the 18-year-old Red Bull driver's controversial duel with Kimi Raikkonen at Spa, commentator Villeneuve said that Verstappen should tone it down or risk killing a rival.

"He should watch his statement that someone could die," the Dutch broadcaster NOS quotes him as saying. "He himself has killed someone."

Verstappen is probably referring to 2001, when an airborne crash in Melbourne involved a rear wheel detaching, striking and killing a marshal.

F1 race director Charlie Whiting reportedly took Verstappen aside at Monza and warned him about his aggression.

"We talked a bit about what happened in the last race," Verstappen admitted, according to De Telegraaf newspaper. "I'd rather it was alone with Charlie than with the media or the briefing with the drivers."

Verstappen's driving has been a hot topic at Monza, with even former Renault team boss Flavio Briatore asked about it by Italy's Mediaset outlet.

"If I was his manager, I would tell him to always do the same thing," he said.

Verstappen sits sixth in the standings ahead of tomorrow's race.