Rosberg described it after the grand prix as a “racing incident” and declined
to apologise, although he was condemned by the team. However, on Friday he
accepted responsibility for the crash – which the stewards decided within 10
seconds not to investigate – apologising to both Hamilton and the team.
The 29-year-old said: “I have already expressed my regret about the incident
but, after meeting with Toto [Wolff], Paddy [Lowe] and Lewis today, I wish
to go a step further and describe it as an error of judgment on my part.
“The number one rule for us as team-mates is that we must not collide but that
is exactly what happened. For that error of judgment, I apologise to Lewis
and the team.”
Despite the animosity between the two, which has been building all season,
Telegraph Sport understands they shook hands at a sponsor’s event in
Stuttgart this week, contrary to reports that they had to be separated.
Although Rosberg took the blame for the Belgium crash, Hamilton admitted on
Friday that he had made mistakes as the rivalry has developed over the year,
perhaps a reference to revealing details of a heated team meeting after the
race. Hamilton had alleged that Rosberg had admitted to causing the crash to
“prove a point”.
“Today we came together as a team and discussed our differences,” Hamilton
said. “Nico and I accept that we have both made mistakes and I feel it would
be wrong to point fingers and say which one is worse than the other. There
is a deep foundation that still exists for me and Nico to work from, in
spite of our difficult times and differences.”
The ramifications of the affair are already being felt, with news this week
that talks on a new contract for Hamilton have stalled until this year’s
title fight is over. Mercedes face an uphill battle to control their
drivers, with continuing questions over the leadership of the team ahead of
next weekend’s race in Monza, Italy.
The good news for Formula One fans on Friday was that the pair will continue
to be free to race. A team survey on Twitter this week found 92 per cent
were in favour of eschewing team orders. That said, it is hard to see how
Wolff and Lowe would go about controlling two drivers who have the
championship in their sights and have already disobeyed their command this
season.
In a statement, the team said: “Nico acknowledged his responsibility for the
contact that occurred on lap two of the Belgian Grand Prix and apologised
for this error of judgment. It has been made clear that another such
incident will not be tolerated. They remain free to race for the world
championship.”
Meanwhile, 38 former Caterham staff began employment tribunal proceedings
against the team for their “unlawful axing”, with a High Court action in the
pipeline. The row emerged after Tony Fernandes, the Malaysian businessman,
sold the team to Swiss and Middle Eastern investors last month.
– Daniel
Johnson: What would constitute a “suitable punishment”?