Doctor now denies drug claims

Benigno Bartoletti, who caused huge controversy with his claims that were quickly shot down by drivers and the sport's governing body, came out and claimed that his words had been twisted to make the story more sensational.

Speaking to Colombian newspaper El Carabobeno, Bartoletti said: "The person who interviewed me changed the meaning of what I said to create a more sensational story.

"I only said that there is a risk of doping in motorsport. Surely it would not be with anabolic substances, that would be of no use at all. If there is doping, it would be with cocaine-type substances.

"These substances have a powerful reaction for a very limited amount of time. It can last for an hour or two, not more. I have only mentioned a doubt, a belief without any specific proof."

Bartoletti did add, however, that the only way to be 100 per cent sure that there was no drug taking in F1 was for more stringent testing to take place. Currently the FIA only conducts random testing at selected events rather than at each grand prix.

"If F1 wanted to remove all doubt, it could only do so with more stringent anti-doping control throughout the entire championship. Only then we should know if these doubts were purely hypothetical."