Romain Grosjean has responded to Max Verstappen's claim that the Lotus driver brake-tested him during the Monaco Grand Prix.
Verstappen hit the rear of Grosjean's car approaching Ste Devote as the pair fought over 10th place, with the Toro Rosso hitting the barrier at high speed as a result of the collision. Before being hit by a grid penalty for Canada, Verstappen claimed Grosjean had braked earlier than the lap before and was at fault, an allegation Lotus refuted this week.
Asked in the Lotus Canadian Grand Prix preview if he had brake-tested Verstappen, Grosjean replied: "Of course not, what would that possibly achieve?
"In Monaco it’s pretty easy to keep a car behind you, even a car that’s faster than you, by placing your car on the racing line and just focusing on driving your laps. The difficult bit is for the guy trying to get past. I didn’t brake early or lift off the throttle earlier on the lap which Verstappen hit me, in fact the data showed I braked five metres later than the lap before!
"The FIA are pretty thorough in their investigations and I don’t know which annoyed me more; being hit and knocked out of the points, or having to go through the inquiry afterwards for something that was clearly not my fault.
"Ultimately, Max caught himself out by driving too aggressively on the wrong circuit to attempt a move like he did and we both felt the consequences. He’ll learn; he’s a very talented driver. "
Click here for a look at the FIA's clampdown on front wing flexibility
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