Lewis Hamilton has sensationally claimed Nico Rosberg deliberately crashed into him in yesterday’s controversial Belgian Grand Prix.
The incident occurred on lap two of the race at Spa-Francorchamps, with Hamilton leading after passing Mercedes team-mate and polesitter Rosberg off the line.
Approaching the right-hander at Les Combes at the end of the Kemmel Straight, Rosberg attempted a passing manoeuvre on Hamilton, only to seemingly back out.
In doing so, it resulted in contact between the two for the first time, with Rosberg’s right front-wing endplate clipping Hamilton’s left rear tyre. It created a puncture that resulted in a long three-mile return back to the pits for Hamilton, ultimately wrecking his race in which he retired at the end of lap 39 of 44.
As for Rosberg, he went on to claim second place behind eventual winner Daniel Ricciardo and has now opened up a 29-point cushion over Hamilton with seven races left.
The incident resulted in a heated, angry meeting between Hamilton, Rosberg, Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff, technical executive director Paddy Lowe and nonexecutive chairman Niki Lauda.
Following the meeting, Hamilton dropped a bombshell when he said: “We just had a meeting about it and he basically said he did it on purpose. He said he did it on purpose.
“He said he could have avoided it. He basically said ‘I did it to prove a point’, and you don’t have to just rely on me. Go and ask Toto, Paddy and all those guys who are not happy with him as well.”
Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff later made it clear Rosberg was at fault as he opted not to move line.
“Nico felt he needed to hold his line. He needed to make a point, but for Lewis (from his perspective), it was clearly not him who needed to be aware of Nico,” said Wolff.
“He (Rosberg) didn’t give in. He thought it was for Lewis to leave him space, and that Lewis didn’t leave him space.
“So they agreed to disagree in a very heated discussion amongst ourselves, but it wasn’t deliberately That is nonsense. It was deliberately taking into account that if Lewis moves or would open up then it could end up in a crash.”
Asked as to what he made of one of his drivers who wanted to make a point to his team mate, Wolff replied: “The incident, as I see it, is not acceptable for us. What we saw there was that Nico was not prepared to take the exit, and that caused the collision. That is not something we want to happen.”
Prior to the meeting Wolff had suggested the possibility team orders would now be imposed, and even the prospect of taking action against Rosberg, who was jeered onto the podium.
“We’ve not hit the self-destruct button yet, but there is a lot at stake,” added Wolff.
“If you don’t manage this properly now it could end up at that point. “It’s one thing enjoying great races and letting them fight with each other, but you look like a fool at the end of the season if you have not won anything.
“I’m extremely upset about what’s happened today.”
Williams driver Valtteri Bottas ended the race in third place, while Kimi Raikkonen achieved his best result on his return to Ferrari this season with fourth.
The Finn was followed home by Vettel and McLaren duo Kevin Magnussen and Jenson Button, with the second Ferrari of Fernando Alonso eighth.
