There is nothing new about suspicions and underhand conspiracy theories in Formula One.

They have existed frequently almost since the first ever Grand Prix engine note was heard to herald the onset of action behind the scene’s darker reaches as much as out there upfront and on track.

Some of the sport’s biggest names have featured as either victims or perpetrators, identities sometimes known but more often not. And we who are involved in whatever capacity have had to make our own judgements, usually to ourselves for fear of retribution.

That is why I am not going to pass a verdict on the very latest issue, that of Lewis Hamilton’s bitter reflex accusations (later watered down) on his blighted championship defence under a series of drastic and mysterious breakdowns.

The conspiracy theorists are hard at work condemning Hamilton’s Mercedes team as saboteurs because as a German team, running a German car, with a German driver, to enhance German national pride and pinpoint German expertise, professionalism and handiwork, they would prefer to support a German champion.

The cold facts and stark contrast are that in the championship chase, Rosberg’s surge into the lead with five races to go has been given a crucial leg up by Hamilton’s run of mechanical mishaps, topped by his KO with an engine blaze in Malaysia when he was running away to an unassailable victory.

His initial reflex reaction, based tearfully on rage, was typical from the man who only too often speaks his mind first without thinking of any consequences.

But few, and certainly not his vast army of supporters, could blame him for his reaction. Other outsiders believe he was being paranoid.

No doubt his Mercedes bosses shrivelled as this is what he said to millions of TV viewers after his lead loss with only 15 laps to go.

The usual preset media engagements were cancelled — and then, after a short time, reinstated by which time, I guess, Hamilton would have been, shall we say, brought into line and back down to earth by his tough boss Toto Wolff.

And his mindset, now cooled, altered to one of feelings for his backup crew.

Rather more coolly and in control after talks with Woolf behind closed garage doors, he said: ”I have 100 per cent confidence in these guys. They work so hard and we are all feeling the pain right now.

“When you get out of a car, the feeling you have after leading the race and car fails, it is pretty hard to say positive things all the time. We all bear the pain.”

There have been no such serious problems with the Mercedes engine runners Force India, Williams and Manor.

Hamilton stopped short, in the light of the cold hard facts, and the heartbreaking outcome, of an outright accusation of any dirty dealings by Mercedes in favour of a Rosberg title takeover and the derailment of his title defence.

The 31-year-old three times champion’s attitude and body language did nothing to cloak over the behind-hand-whispers of those conspiracy theorists convinced that he had been somehow cheated of his chance to again pull clear in his bid for a fourth title ahead of a Rosberg who appears to be no match for Hamilton when they are both blessed with trouble-free cars and it is all down to sheer talent and ability in a fair fight.

One thing is sure, around his favourite Suzuka track, the scene of Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, Hamilton will be aiming for a repeat of last season’s victory to clinch a hat-trick of successive wins around the intriguing figure of eight circuit.

I only hope Mercedes get their act together and manage to sit him in a car that lasts out the challenge it will face with a fiercely fired up Hamilton thrillingly taking it to is limits.