Sergio Perez is keen to move on after a decision to hand him a five place grid penalty for tomorrow’s Austrian Grand Prix was upheld.

The stewards at the last race in Canada deemed Perez to be at fault for a final-lap accident at Montreal in which Williams’ Felipe Massa ran into the back of the Mexican on the approach to turn one.

Both drivers were fortunate to escape injury after suffering sizeable impacts, leading to a war of words in public and via social media as each blamed the other for the accident.

As Perez was in hospital for precautionary checks at the time of the hearing in Montreal, and believing they had new evidence that showed their man did no wrong, Force India demanded a new hearing at the Red Bull Ring with the stewards in Austria.

Led by nine-time Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen, the stewards decided the original decision would stand.

“We showed the line, pictures, everything, we were unable to show in Montreal, so for that reason we felt very confident we had proof,” said Perez in the wake of the decision. “The stewards were sensible and agreed to an extent with everything I said, but then when they realised the situation, nothing changed. I feel quite disappointed because I felt we showed all the evidence.

“Now it’s time to move on, to look forward, although for Sunday it will be a big pain to be five places back (on the grid) at a track which is so small and where it is so difficult to overtake.”

Explaining their decision, a statement from the stewards read: “The driver of car 11 (Perez) contended that the new element(s) evidenced that in defending his position he was exercising his right to use the whole track.

“However, it was clear to the stewards the defence of his position occurred in the braking area.

“Article 20.4 (of the FIA sporting regulations) specifically states any right to defend by using the whole track must occur prior to any braking area.

“Accordingly, the driver of car 11 was not entitled to defend his position in the manner he did.”

Perez appears to have no plans to make peace with Massa, who described his rival as “dangerous” .

“As I’ve said, it’s time for me to move on, prepare for qualifying, to have a great day and to look forward to Sunday,” added Perez. “I don’t want to keep talking about this accident, about what happened.”