"Clarkson's comments about Franco's nationality were completely unacceptable. There is no place for remarks like this in Formula 1, regardless of who makes them or whether they are intended as a joke," Bullet Sports Management director Jamie Campbell-Walter wrote on X.

"We have worked hard to promote respect and put an end to hostility and abuse. That respect must go both ways. We cannot ask anyone to behave responsibly while accepting comments like these from prominent figures visiting our sport.

"Franco and his supporters deserve better than this. Let's not allow this to undo the progress we've made and rise above malicious comments."

Clarkson was in Austin as a guest of the Alpine team, which which Colapinto drives. Alpine issued a statement of their own distancing themslves from Clarkson's comment, stating that his "personal views do not align with the team's values of promoting kindness and respect".

Colapinto was quizzed for the first time about the matter after the race, which he did not finish because of damage picked up when he collided with the Racing Bulls of Arvid Lindblad. He was keen to make it clear that he did not know Clarkson personally and that his comment had nothing directly to do with him.

The Argentine racer said: "Of course, it's nothing to do with the team. [Clarkson] just did an interview on his own, it's nothing related to the team. I think he's always been kind of jokey. I don't really know him, but they told me.

"I didn't see too much of what he said, but [his manager] Jamie put something on social media, I guess. Yeah, we just try to focus on ourselves. I try to improve the situation, of course, but it kind of needs help from a lot of people, not just from me."