Grapevine: Snapper denies provoking Raikkonen

Well-respected Paul-Henri Cahier was pushed over onto his back at Silverstone after Raikkonen took exception to his behaviour as he took pictures.

In a statement issued on his website, Cahier has said he is at a loss to explain why Raikkonen attacked him - although has made it clear that he was not taking any action against the Ferrari driver.

"There never was any contact between the two men, nor did Paul-Henri ever touch Kimi's equipment," Cahier's statement read. "Furthermore, the distance at which Paul-Henri Cahier was taking a picture, although close, was completely standard.

"The photographers who take pictures at grand prix races are all professionals who have been accredited by the FIA, and as the dozen other photographers who were standing next to Paul-Henri Cahier prove, there was nothing unusual or unethical about this situation."

The statement added: "Paul-Henri Cahier has been an F1 photographer for almost forty years and has been close to the greatest champions, but none of them have ever behaved in such a rude manner.

"It is understandable that drivers might get irritable because of the pressure they undergo, but Kimi Raikkonen never even attempted to express his discontent in a non violent way.

"Paul-Henri Cahier luckily did not suffer any injury, and so does not intend to take any action, but he regrets the arrogance with which Kimi Raikkonen treated someone who was merely doing his job."