Innocent Grosjean ruffled by unresponsive Ocon

Romain Grosjean is sticking by his claim that he did nothing to warrant a penalty in last weekend's French Grand Prix, noting Esteban Ocon's lack of reaction to his apology.

The Haas driver was hit with a five-second time penalty at Paul Ricard for slamming into the Force India driver on the run down to Turn 1 shortly after the start.

After viewing footage of the incident, Grosjean absolved himself of any wrongdoing.

"That’s what you get a five-second penalty for," said the Haas driver.

"Did I move my steering wheel? Did I turn to the left? Did I do anything? It’s absolute nonsense.

"I think they were drinking rosé wine."

• Ocon and Gasly scolded for first lap clash

Heavy contact ensued however between Grosjean and Ocon, the Force India suffering considerable lateral damage before enduring the effects of a terminal collision further down the road when it was hit from behind by Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly.

"I couldn’t know he was there because I’m almost on the edge of the track so I’m not expecting a car to be there," Grosjean explained.

Despite his self-proclaimed innocence, the Frenchman felt compelled to apologise to Ocon for the unfortunate encounter, but his countryman ignored the excuse.

"I apologised. I sent him a text saying ‘I didn’t see you, sorry’. Anyway I think he ruined his Grand Prix two corners later," said Grosjean.

"He didn’t reply to my message. I flew in this morning here with him, an hour and a half on the plane, and he didn’t say anything.

"It’s a French GP and everybody wants to do well but, as I say, I think my penalty is nonsense."

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