Grosjean apologetic to Leclerc after clash

Haas driver Romain Grosjean was handed a three-place penalty for the Mexican Grand Prix following his first lap collision with Charles Leclerc on Sunday in Austin.

Grosjean was battling with Esteban Ocon and Leclerc on the run down the back straight with the Haas driver braking early enough; but his wheels locked up and hit Leclerc's Sauber and earned the Frenchman some more grid penalties.

Due to the collision, Grosjean was forced to retire at the end of lap two with suspension damage - but now the Haas driver is just two points away from an automatic one-race ban, with the racing stewards deeming him solely responsible for Sunday's clash.

Grosjean was apologetic to Leclerc for ruining both of their races but was also very frustrated that he couldn't take advantage of his top ten position at the start of the Grand Prix.

"I had a decent start," Grosjean told The Checkered Flag. "There was a lot of action going on. I was fighting with Charles (Leclerc) and Esteban (Ocon). I got to turn 12 and I braked early because I was behind them.

"I didn't want to take much risk, but I ended up in the dirty air and I couldn't stop the car. I tried to avoid the contact as much as I could, but Charles was trying to get a good exit and I hit him. I feel sorry for Charles and I'm frustrated for the team. This being our home race, we wanted to do well. It's not been a great afternoon."