Grosjean and Haryanto collide in Melbourne pitlane

The final free practice session had just got under way when Grosjean was released from his Haas pits to begin his preparations.

At that same moment Haryanto in the next garage had been released by his Manor team, and initially hesitated to get moving to get out in to the pit lane.

But as Grosjean moved alongside him, Haryanto merged in to the fast lane – and collided at low speed in to the side of his Haas rival.

Speaking on the radio afterwards, Haryanto told his Manor team: “Sorry guys.”

Both cars returned to the pits for repairs and it comes ahead of a weekend where most teams are limited on spares because it is the first race of the season.

Haas team principal Gunther Steiner had said on Friday: “We have got everything before the race. When I say everything, I mean 90 per cent.

"We cannot have two crashes with the same car, you know. We have at least one of each part, most of them two so for each car one set, but we cannot take big risks.

“If we had damage today or tomorrow… the last thing we want is to miss the race. That would be silly to come here in these conditions and take risks. That was the biggest thing today; do not take any risks.”

UPDATE: The stewards of the meeting have levied a three-place grid penalty against Haryanto for his role in the collision.

According to the stewards, Haryanto "did not pay attention to the approaching car [of Grosjean] that was in the fast lane".

The Indonesian has also picked up two penalty points - his first in Formula 1.