Szafnauer says Ocon was only following team orders to overtake Verstappen, as permitted in Formula 1 rules allowing cars to unlap themselves, and shot down conspiracy theories claiming he intentionally hit the Red Bull driver due to his Mercedes links.

“That’s a conspiracy theory and I doubt a racing driver is thinking about his drive for 2020 with what he does today. Absolutely not,” Szafnauer told Sky Sports F1. “Esteban came on the radio and said can I unlap myself because I am quicker and we said yes go ahead. That’s it.

“At that point he had a tyre advantage and we probably would have had a tyre advantage for five, six, seven, eight laps.