Franco Colapinto's manager was not happy with Jeremy Clarkson jokingly saying on TV that the driver probably got a penalty for being Argentinian.

Colapinto is set to start the United States Grand Prix with a grid penalty for exceeding the permitted number of power unit components in a season. He received a 10-place grid penalty for using his fourth Control Electronics Unit.

Jeremy Clarkson was speaking on Sky Sports F1, when he was told about Colapinto having to start from the back of the grid. The former Top Gear host then jokingly added: "Franco’s got a grid penalty for being Argentinian. Probably. Well, I’d give him one for that. But anyway, that’s just because of what happened when we went there."

Taking these kinds of jabs is nothing new between English and Argentinian fans, especially after the two nations met at the FIFA World Cup in the United States this year. In football, Argentinian players in the Premier League, such as Enzo Fernandez and Valentin Barco, have been booed by English fans because of their excessive celebrations last summer.

Photo: Race Pictures

Colapinto's manager reacts to Clarkson

Jamie Campbell-Walter, founder of Bullet Sports Management, which represents Colapinto among others, criticised Clarkson on social media for his comments.

He wrote: "Jeremy 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.

“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,” Campbell-Walter concluded.

After finishing 14th in qualifying, the Alpine driver will start from P21 on the grid later today at the Circuit of the Americas.