Mercedes F1 has "taken disciplinary action against Nico Rosberg following his collision" with teammate Lewis Hamilton in the Belgian Grand Prix, according to Andrew Benson of the BBC. Rosberg "accepted responsibility for the collision," calling it an "error of judgement." Mercedes handed out an "undisclosed punishment to Rosberg, likely to be a fine, while agreeing to let them continue racing for the world title." They have been warned another similar incident "will not be tolerated." While Rosberg apologized to Hamilton in a statement on Friday, his teammate "responded by admitting 'we have both made mistakes'" (BBC, 8/29). In London, Daniel Johnson reported following a meeting with the two drivers and Mercedes execs at their
Brackley base on Friday morning, the team made an "orchestrated attempt to
draw a line under the saga." Friday's meeting -- which lasted for around half an hour and was described "as business-like" -- had been called after Hamilton and Rosberg's accident on
lap two of last weekend’s race at Spa-Francorchamps. Rosberg said, "The number one rule for us as teammates is that we must not collide but that
is exactly what happened. For that error of judgment, I apologize to Lewis
and the team." 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" (TELEGRAPH, 8/29).
