Lotus have denied Max Verstappen’s claim that Romain Grosjean brake tested him during the Monaco Grand Prix, resulting in a coming together at Ste Devote which took the Toro Rosso driver out of the race.
The pair were battling for tenth place when Verstappen clipped the right-rear of the Lotus, severly damaging his own suspension which caused him to spear off into the barriers.
The 17-year-old was later handed a grid penalty for the next race in Canada, which he believed to be unfair after claiming it was Grosjean’s fault as the Frenchman ‘brake tested’ him.
Lotus’ trackside operations director Alan Permane says that isn’t the case. He claims Grosjean’s data proves he actually braked later than he had on the previous few laps – which was enough to convince the FIA that Verstappen was fully to blame.
“Romain Grosjean didn’t brake test Max Verstappen,” said Permane. “He braked five metres later than previous lap. Data accepted by the FIA so the penalty was for Max not RG.
“The FIA have all the information and they were very happy with RG’s driving.”
Permane added: “Max will overcome – he is a huge, huge talent.”
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