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Jean-Eric Vergne has lost his ninth-placed finish in the US Grand Prix after being penalised for colliding with Formula 1 rival Romain Grosjean.

Toro Rosso F1 racer Vergne made contact with Grosjean's Lotus in the closing stages of Sunday's race at Austin, after locking up his brakes while trying to overtake into Turn 1.

Officials subsequently hit Vergne with a five-second penalty for forcing Grosjean's Lotus off the circuit in the collision.

The penalty means Vergne switches places with Grosjean's 10th-placed Lotus team-mate Pastor Maldonado in the final results.

Grosjean ultimately finished 11th, but felt Vergne's aggressive move cost him a potential points finish.

"Jean-Eric came into Turn 1 and bumped into me, broke my front wing and my floor and I couldn't really recover," Grosjean told NBC Sports.

"I was on the radio saying 'guys, that's not fair, he [should] get something', because I could have got P8.

"I may not get my points and position but it's good that Pastor scored and we were finally able to fight with Ferrari and Toro Rosso."

Vergne said he felt he had to take a risk in trying to pass Grosjean when he did.

"I had to do something, I was not going to stay sitting behind waiting," Vergne explained.

"I saw the opportunity and I went for it. He closed the door but it was too late."