The Clarkson’s Farm presenter was in Texas for the United States Grand Prix when he became caught up in controversy following comments about Formula One driver Franco Colapinto.

Mr Clarkson had been speaking to Sky Sports in the Formula One paddock when he joked that Mr Colapinto was serving a grid penalty "because he is Argentinian".

He also joked that he would penalise the 23-year-old driver for his nationality.

The comments subsequently attracted criticism in Argentina after footage of the interview circulated on social media, with some accusing Mr Clarkson of being "xenophobic".

Jamie Campbell-Walter, director of Bullet Sports Management, which manages Mr Colapinto's career, responded publicly.

Writing on X, Mr Campbell-Walter described the remarks about the driver's nationality as "completely unacceptable" and said there was no place for such comments in Formula One, regardless of whether they were meant as a joke.

He added that the sport had worked to promote respect and combat hostility and abuse, arguing that prominent figures visiting Formula One should be held to the same standards.

Mr Campbell-Walter said Mr Colapinto and his supporters "deserve better than this" and urged people not to allow the row to reverse progress that had been made.

Mr Clarkson was attending the Grand Prix in Austin as a guest of Alpine, the Formula One team which Mr Colapinto drives for.

Alpine subsequently distanced itself from the former Top Gear presenter's remarks, saying his "personal views do not align with the team's values of promoting kindness and respect". [express.co.uk]

Mr Clarkson did not appear in front of television cameras for an interview for the remainder of the weekend.

Sky Sports presenter Martin Brundle encountered him during his grid walk shortly before Sunday's race, but Mr Clarkson did not speak.

Instead, longtime friend and former Top Gear and The Grand Tour producer Andy Wilman spoke briefly to Mr Brundle.

Mr Wilman revealed that Mr Clarkson had been placed under a "no talking" ban for race day.

Mr Colapinto addressed the controversy following the race and stressed that Mr Clarkson's comments were not connected to Alpine.

The Argentine driver said: "Of course, it's nothing to do with the team."

He added that Mr Clarkson had conducted the interview independently and said: "I think he's always been kind of jokey."

Mr Colapinto, who said he did not really know Mr Clarkson, explained that he had not seen much of what had been said and was instead trying to remain focused on his own work.

Mr Clarkson is well known in Oxfordshire through his Diddly Squat Farm near Chipping Norton, as well as The Farmer's Dog pub near Burford.