Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson have both been given grid penalties following the incident in FP2.

On the approach to Turn 12, Verstappen was on a preparation lap and Lawson was on a cool down lap preparing for another push lap.

The drivers of both cars behaved in a manner that was considered unacceptable by the stewards particularly in view of the warning that had been given at the team managers meeting earlier this day.

Both drivers admitted the moves were unnecessary and "clumsy".

Noting that there had been similar incidents this year of actions between drivers in free practice, the stewards have decided to escalate the penalty from that of a formal warning to a grid position penalty particularly in view of the warning that had been provided at the team managers meeting and consistent with other incidents involving contact between the cars in free practice in previous years.

Consequently, both drivers were given a one-place grid drop - which, in all honesty seems hardly worth all the effort.

Asked by Sky Sports, in the moments after the session if he thought the clash, which saw both cars incur damage, particularly Verstappen's, the Dutchman was asked if he thought it was "unlucky".

"I don't think it's called unlucky," said the four-time world champion. "Maybe not very smart behaviour what he was trying to do there," he added. "But at the end of the day it's not going to change my weekend.

"But if I would be him, I would act a little bit smarter," he smiled. "Also when you're fighting for your seat, it's not very smart behaviour."

"I think one word, just 'unnecessary' in a practice session," said Racing Bulls boss, Alan Permane. "Completely unnecessary and I say that to both of them.

"I don't know what Max has said, I haven't heard anything, but I'm sure he's got his opinion and I'm sure Liam has got his opinion but mine is, it's just not needed and they can both do better.

"On an out lap or a cool lap, which they were both on, I think it was probably a little bit of a excess from the pair of them. Maybe 50/50, or maybe little bit more in our favour. I don't think there was anything malicious there though."