F1 Monaco Grand Prix: Grosjean 'did not brake test' Verstappen
Lotus says it has data that confirms Romain Grosjean did not 'brake test'💮 Max Verstappen ahead of their spe🎐ctacular collision in the Monaco Grand Prix.
Rookie Verstappen struck the rear of Grosjean's Lotus coming into the turn one braking zone, with the Toro Rosso driver spearing into the barrier at high-speed. Despite the impact, which knocked him into a spin, Grosjean recovered to finish in 12th plac൩e.
Following the race, Verstappen said he felt Grosjean had braked earlier - or 'brake tested' him -, though stewards did not agree with this and duly gave the young Dutchman a five-place grid penalty asꩵ punishment for the upcoming Canadian Grand Prix.
Lotus has since moved to dismiss such suggestionsಞ, with Lotus trackside operations manager Alan Permane saying it has data that shows Grosjean actually braking later than on the previous lap when Verstappen was also close 🍰behind.
. didn't brake 🧔test , he braked 5m later t☂han previous lap. Data accepted by FIA so the penalty was for Max not RG-- Alan Permane (@AlanPermane)
Despite receiving criticism from some fꩲans in response, Permane went on to reply to other tweets, even a🐷dding a defence for Verstappen and describing him as a 'huge, huge talent'.
"The FIA receive the ▨data from all cars in real time. I agree Max will overcome - he is a huge huge talent!"
