Motorcycling great Wayne Gardner and his son Remy are being provided Australian consular assistance after being jailed in Japan.

Wayne Gardner, the 1987 500cc world champion, was reportedly detained over his alleged involvement in a road rage incident before the Japanese Grand Prix at the weekend.

Remy, 18, who is on the Moto2 class world circuit, has also reportedly been locked up over an alleged driver’s licence violation.

It is unclear how long the pair will remain in jail, placing Remy’s participation in the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix on Phillip Island this weekend in doubt.

“We certainly have also provided consular support to Mr Gardner and his son,” foreign minister Julie Bishop told the Nine Network on Wednesday.

“The details of this incident are being reported, but we’ve not been able to verify them.

“But we are continuing to provide whatever support we can while he is detained in jail in Tokyo.”

Local police have charged Gardner with assault, accusing him of grabbing his alleged victim by the collar during a traffic incident in Hiyama, according to multiple news reports.

Remy Gardner is ranked 27th on the Moto2 world championship standings after 15 races.