Speaking shortly after today's race, Nico Rosberg was fully convinced that the last lap clash which resulted in him slipping down to fourth whilst teammate Lewis Hamilton took the win and further closed down the German's championship lead, was the Briton's fault.

"I am absolutely gutted," he told Sky Sports F1, "it's unbelievable. I was sure to win the race and lost it on the last lap, that's pretty intense.

"I had the inside position," he explained, "a strong position, and went a bit deep into the corner, but that's fine because I dictate, but l was very surprised that Lewis turned in and that caused a collision. We were battling. I was struggling a little bit with my brakes because they got a bit hot in the end and my tyres were degrading so that gave Lewis a chance. Nevertheless, I was confident I could defend accordingly and bring it home."

While team boss Toto Wolff did his best to contain his anger, describing the incident as "brainless" and warning that team orders appear to be the only solution, the race stewards adjudged Rosberg to be the culprit.

Taking to Facebook, the German expressed his feelings about the decision, even though the resultant time penalty didn't see him lose position.

"They gave me the blame, which sucks," he said. "I respect that, but I am of a different opinion. But that doesn't help.

"I defended the inside and felt in a strong position," he continued, "I was convinced that I would make it stick. I went deep because that was the best way at the time to try and defend my corner, to keep him on the outside. Of course, I need to leave him room on the track, which I was doing, and then Lewis completely caught me by surprise and turned in.

"He said in an interview that I was in his blind spot so he couldn't see where I was, so maybe that might be the reason, but it just completely caught me by surprise that he turned in before we got near to the edge of the track even though I was there. So then I couldn't react and then we collided."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by DeepFlux, 05/07/2016 8:42

"I'm getting sick to death of the militantly pro-Hamilton media coverage in the UK (and in the stewards room at times). I hope it's not as blatant in Australia. The crash between Hamilton and Rosberg is a carbon copy of what happened at turn 1 lap 1 in Canada, but with the roles reversed. Hamilton can't be right in both cases! The difference is that Rosberg didn't turn into Hamilton in Canada but saw the potential crash unfolding and backed out - like Hamilton should have here in Austria.
Whatever way you twist it, Hamilton turned in on another car that was occupying that space, while Rosberg left a cars width to the edge of the track. In Canada Hamilton left him no space what so ever! Rosberg's move is right out of the Hamilton playbook. I'm angry that the stewards have ruled it as Nico's fault, when I see it more as a racing incident but if anything, more Hamilton's fault.
I'm just glad to see Rosberg show his teeth. It's the aggression needed to win a world championship and it's the most he's looked like a world champion this session in my view."

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2. Posted by Jonno, 04/07/2016 19:07

"Hamilton is running out of PSUs and Rosberg is short on excuses.

I'm putting money of Rosberg claiming his car had woodworm after his next banana skin.
"

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3. Posted by F1 Yank, 04/07/2016 17:49

"I feel bad for ROS on several points. The decision to put on reds was the wrong call. His tires were shot in comparison to the Yellows. It did look like ROS should have been able to fend off but obviously not, that is where the race was lost. His brakes were gone as well which made everything worse and attempting to defend again was futile. It is better to take second and salvage the points than to crash, make himself look bad and loose out on hard earned points. On the plus side, which everyone is really forgetting to mention. It was great to see ROS come from 6th to jump HAM during the pit stop and continue until the last lap of the race. Unfortunately the race was unraveling from lap 55 to the end for ROS."

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4. Posted by Spindoctor, 04/07/2016 15:50

"The disappointing truth appears top be that Nico, everything else being equal, simply can't cut it at the very pinnacle of Motor Sport.

The only circumstances under which he really performs are when he starts from pole and manages to get away from Lewis (in particular) and the rest of the field.
In this he appears significantly aided by the Merc's aerodynamics. It seems to create particularly dirty air for following cars, and loses proportionately more performance when following than many other cars.
Of course Lewis also benefits from this when he makes a clean getaway, but seems to have spent most of this season overcoming technical issues\grid penalties resulting from them.

This really is Nico's BIG chance.
Hamilton is fresh out of Power Units and given Merc's inability to make things work properly this season is certain to face a number of arbitrary penalties as a consequence of the inevitable failures he'll have. Nico however, is comparatively flush, with I believe 4 PUs left to Hamilton's One."

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5. Posted by The Canadian, 04/07/2016 15:13

"In a perfect racing world, you would race your team mate "clean". Nico didn't. It reminded me of Schumacher's Deliberate taking out of Damon Hill in Australia in the 90's to keep Hill from winning the Title after Schum had crashed...
And to follow it up by not letting Lewis back on the track...C'mon... The Sky guys had it right... Nico lost his cool, probably had a bit of a fit there at the end...
The current Mercedes Driver lineup is a lot like Schumacher/Barichello... Guess which one is Barichello? At least Rubens knew it.."

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6. Posted by Cobra Driver, 04/07/2016 11:52

"While I do not even suggest that I had the talent of an F1 pilot, I did race for 55 years and I know brake fades, turn in to apex points and deliberate actions to run competitors (and team mates) off the track. Look at the cockpit video of Rosberg as Lewis appears to his immediate left. Look at the position of his hands and then look to your right at the track markings. Rosberg made little attempt to steer right to avoid the contact.
And thanks to the German fans for their class. Typical.
"

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7. Posted by DavidA, 04/07/2016 10:52

"As not being an expert but i think sky done a good job on the Lewis and Rossberg Last lap knowing how long the stewards debated the incident they got the result bang on. My only comment is they were frightened to upset Mercedes by only giving 10second penalty, on the Mercedes side they should get Rossberg to pay for the damage, I now look forward at the reception at Silverstone."

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8. Posted by MattDann, 04/07/2016 8:47

"I agree partially with Nico' comments, apart from leaving Lewis room on the exit of the corner. He didn't. This is I suppose another issue. In the 2nd corner, Lewis turned in on Nico, just as Nico said. This is fact, not opinion. It so disappointing to see the FIA act in this way. To give Nico a reprimand for driving to the finish line with a broken car. That's trying to save face given that it was the last lap and Nico had to finish the race! The FIA was foolish!"

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Rosberg: It sucks

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