“Having passed the lead back to Kimi, Lewis re-positioned, moving his car across and behind Kimi to the right-hand line,” added a McLaren spokesman, confirming that the Woking-based outfit intends to register the decision with the FIA's International Court of Appeal – if indeed it is allowed to, as drive-through penalties cannot technically be subject to appeal. “He then out-braked him into the hairpin.”

As things stand, Hamilton has now seen his eight-point margin over Massa in the title chase reduced to just two – but he has already made clear his intention to deny Ferrari glory on home turf at Monza in front of the tifosi, the Scuderia's fanatical home supporters, in only six days' time.

“It is just going to be a very tough fight,” the eight-time grand prix-winner acknowledged, “but I will do everything I can to make sure I come to the next race just as strong, if not stronger.

“I know I can get stronger, so we as a team are going to do that and we are going to keep on improving.”