Lotus has categorically denied Max Verstappen's allegation that Romain Grosjean brake tested him before their collision at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Verstappen crashed heavily on lap 62 of the Monte Carlo race when he ploughed into the back of Grosjean under braking at Turn 1. The incident triggered the race-altering safety car period which ultimately cost Lewis Hamilton the win after a calamitous strategy call from Mercedes.
After the race Verstappen labelled Grosjean "very dangerous" and said he had hit the brakes "10 or 15 metres" earlier than the previous lap, adding that he had not even been trying to overtake the Frenchman when the crash occured. The crash earned Verstappen the wrath of Felipe Massa, who claimed the incident highlighted the 17-year-old's lack of experience.
Lotus trackside operations director Alan Permane has refuted Verstappen's claim by pointing to the data, something he says was crucial in the stewards awarding Verstappen a five-place grid penalty for Canada and two points on his superlicence. Permane took to Twitter on Wednesday to confirm the data proved Grosjean actually braked later than he had the lap before.
.@RGrosjean didn't brake test @Max33Verstappen, he braked 5m later than previous lap. Data accepted by FIA so the penalty was for Max not RG
— Alan Permane (@AlanPermane) May 27, 2015