Nico Rosberg has been given a time penalty and reprimand following the incident on the final lap of today's race.

"Having taken note of the extensive evidence given by both drivers and the video and telemetry data, it was apparent that Hamilton was in front of Rosberg - i.e. more than fully alongside - and that Hamilton could have clearly made the turn (T2) on the track, if not for the resultant collision," said the stewards in their statement.

"Rosberg did not allow Hamilton 'racing room' and hence the German was responsible for the collision."

Deeming this a breach of Article 38.1 of the Sporting Regulations the Stewards imposed a 10 second time penalty in accordance with Article 38.3, which means the Mercedes driver retains his fourth position.

The German was also awarded 2 penalty points, his first of the 12 month period.

In addition, Rosberg was handed a reprimand for continuing despite the damage to his car following the incident; spreading debris and with the front wing detached, a breach of Article 12.1.1 h) of the FIA International Sporting Code.

"Article 22.11 of the Formula One Sporting Regulations requires a driver with serious mechanical difficulties to leave the track as soon as it is safe to do so," said the Stewards. "We do note the extenuating circumstances and the fact that Rosberg did slow down significantly and attempted to mitigate the risk to other drivers and cars."

Check out our Sunday gallery, here.

LATEST NEWS

more news >

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

Click to go to the main galleries section

READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by ZAK., 06/07/2016 17:41

"Very strange how Lewis's car isnt as reliable as Nico's this year? plus how his car has been bogged down at the start of the first few races allowing Nico to clear off. How come Lewis's car went into a slower mode recently and the team could not tell him to reset it? Lewis is now on his last engine, Nico still has 4 engines? seems no doubt to me that Merc want Nico to win the the DC this yearand are making sure this will happen. If I was Lewis I would say Bye Bye and go to maybe Ferrari or Redbull, even Williams, just to proove the point."

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by Marshal-BeeJ, 04/07/2016 8:18

"For the people that say Hamilton is at fault you need to go to Specsavers. The on board clearly shows that Rosberg went pas the normal turn in point of the corner with his steering wheel still straight and his wheels were not locked. Hamilton left loads of space on the outside for a car to take the normal inside line"

Rating: Positive (4) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

3. Posted by MattDann, 04/07/2016 6:12

"I think we all saw the race. It was clear than Nico outbraked himself, front wheels locked, and he turned in, but continued straight. You can watch the replays. It is also clear that Lewis drove into Nico. This alone validates a penalty for Lewis and not Nico! The FIA got it wrong! The space that Nico did not allow Lewis was on the exit, not on entry. If this is what was meant by the FIA, then they need to look at how many times Lewis did that to Nico. I think the FIA is British biased! Also noticed so many Lewis fans on this forum so I know my comment will not be welcome. TRUE F1 FAN! and b.t.w. I don't like Nico."

Rating: Negative (-6) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

4. Posted by Spindoctor, 04/07/2016 3:44

"What a lucky boy young Nico is.
From the TV pictures it's obvious that:
1. His spatial awareness is non-existent and\or his eyesight shockingly poor for a GP driver
OR
2. He deliberately took Hamilton out.

External video showed he was completely off the racing line; metres from the apex and his wheels were straight until just before he hit Hamilton. There's no lock-up, tyre-smoke etc. to explain this.
The in-cockpit shot shows he made little or no attempt to turn his steering until just before contact.

Having biffed Lewis of the track, he then compounded his felonies by forcing him onto the grass when he rejoined the track. His excuse that Hamilton "turned in" is lamer than a one-legged nag. WTF did he expect: that Hamilton (who left him oodles of space) would obligingly drive off the track with a touch of his forelock, a jaunty wave and an 'After you squire'?

I have no idea what "Team Orders" Toto Wolff is contemplating, but he might like to consider doing a Red Bull and promoting Pascal Wehrlein to Mercedes & dumping "crasher" Rosberg back to the junior team......"

Rating: Positive (5) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

5. Posted by Tweek, 03/07/2016 20:55

"Bad form Nico. Never hit your teammate"

Rating: Positive (3) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

6. Posted by Schnauzers, 03/07/2016 19:41

"Irrespective of the (obvious) reality, the stewards should have disqualifyed Rosberg, thereby putting an end to this "He hit me first" - "No, he hit me first" situation, and avoid Mercedes having to impose so called 'abhorrent team orders'.

Fear would prevent repetitions from any competitors.

Save Toto & Nicki a thousand thoughts...."

Rating: Positive (2) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

7. Posted by FormerF1Fan, 03/07/2016 19:23

""Rosberg did not allow Hamilton 'racing room' and hence the German was responsible for the collision."

Hey guys, we've all got eyes you know. This is the biggest load of garbage I have seen and heard in a long time. Hamilton was a yard or two from the outer edge of the track and so had enough room. He quite plainly altered his curve inwards to drive into Rosberg.

So Lauda also has knowledges that Hamilton was being a ******* and is encouraging Nico to be one too? In their Germanic manner, their chosen blue-eyed boy must be protected. Is that because he can't hack it on his own?"

Rating: Negative (-9) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

8. Posted by Yeyox02, 03/07/2016 19:01

"NICOOOOO stop complaining and if you want to be a World Champion you need to be a real ******* (Lauda Words) too."

Rating: Positive (5) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

Rosberg handed time penalty

LATEST NEWS

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

POST A COMMENT

Post your comment

READERS COMMENTS

Share this page