Mercedes has confirmed that Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton remain free to race this season, following a meeting at the team's factory in Brackley to discuss the events of the Belgian Grand Prix.
Rosberg also "acknowledged his responsibility" and apologised to Hamilton for the contact on lap two of the race at Spa-Francorchamps.
The two championship contenders clashed while battling for the lead at Les Combes, puncturing Hamilton's tyre and costing the team a one-two finish.
In a statement released today, Mercedes confirmed that the team's policy of allowing the drivers to battle freely remains, but added that further contact would not be tolerated.
Rosberg apologised to Hamilton for the collision and acknowledged his responsibility. "Suitable disciplinary measures" have been taken.
The full statement read: "Toto Wolff, Paddy Lowe, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton met today in the boardroom of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS headquarters in Brackley to discuss the events of the Belgian Grand Prix.
"During this meeting, Nico acknowledged his responsibility for the contact that occurred on lap two of the Belgian Grand Prix and apologised for this error of judgement.
"Suitable disciplinary measures have been taken for the incident.
"Mercedes-Benz remains committed to hard, fair racing because this is the right way to win world championships. It is good for the team, for the fans and for Formula One.
"Lewis and Nico understand and accept the team's number one rule: there must be no contact between the team's cars on track.
"It has been made clear that another such incident will not be tolerated. But Nico and Lewis are our drivers and we believe in them.
"They remain free to race for the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship."
Rosberg then released a statement that he posted on his official Facebook page. It said: "In the days since the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa, I have spent a lot of time thinking about what happened during the race and discussing it with the team.
"I have already expressed my regret about the incident but, after meeting with Toto, Paddy and Lewis today, I wish to go a step further and describe it as an error of judgement 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 judgement, I apologise to Lewis and the team. I also want to say sorry to the fans who were deprived of our battle for the lead in Belgium. Lewis and I have been given clear instructions about how we race each other.
"As drivers, we have a clear responsibility to the team, the fans of the sport, our partners and Mercedes-Benz to deliver clean racing.
"We take that responsibility very seriously. I look forward to concluding the season with hard, fair competition on and off track right up to the final lap of the season in Abu Dhabi."
Hamilton also posted a message on his official Facebook page, saying: "Today we came together as a team and discussed our differences.
"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. What’s important is how we rise as a team from these situations. We win and we lose together and, as a team, we will emerge stronger.
"There is a deep foundation that still exists for me and Nico to work from, in spite of our difficult times and differences. We have the greatest team, the strongest group of individuals who have worked their hands to the bone to give us the best car you see us racing today. It’s important that we never forget that and give them the results they deserve.
"Today, Toto and Paddy told us clearly how we must race against each other from now on in a fair and respectful manner. The fans want to see a clean fight until the end of the season and that’s what we want to give them.
"It’s going to be a tough road from here but Championships have been won from much further back than I am now. And I promise you that I will be giving everything and more to win this for my team, for my family and for my fans."
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| © Octane Photographic |
The two championship contenders clashed while battling for the lead at Les Combes, puncturing Hamilton's tyre and costing the team a one-two finish.
In a statement released today, Mercedes confirmed that the team's policy of allowing the drivers to battle freely remains, but added that further contact would not be tolerated.
Rosberg apologised to Hamilton for the collision and acknowledged his responsibility. "Suitable disciplinary measures" have been taken.
The full statement read: "Toto Wolff, Paddy Lowe, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton met today in the boardroom of MERCEDES AMG PETRONAS headquarters in Brackley to discuss the events of the Belgian Grand Prix.
"During this meeting, Nico acknowledged his responsibility for the contact that occurred on lap two of the Belgian Grand Prix and apologised for this error of judgement.
"Suitable disciplinary measures have been taken for the incident.
"Mercedes-Benz remains committed to hard, fair racing because this is the right way to win world championships. It is good for the team, for the fans and for Formula One.
"Lewis and Nico understand and accept the team's number one rule: there must be no contact between the team's cars on track.
"It has been made clear that another such incident will not be tolerated. But Nico and Lewis are our drivers and we believe in them.
"They remain free to race for the 2014 FIA Formula One World Championship."
Rosberg then released a statement that he posted on his official Facebook page. It said: "In the days since the Belgian Grand Prix in Spa, I have spent a lot of time thinking about what happened during the race and discussing it with the team.
"I have already expressed my regret about the incident but, after meeting with Toto, Paddy and Lewis today, I wish to go a step further and describe it as an error of judgement 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 judgement, I apologise to Lewis and the team. I also want to say sorry to the fans who were deprived of our battle for the lead in Belgium. Lewis and I have been given clear instructions about how we race each other.
"As drivers, we have a clear responsibility to the team, the fans of the sport, our partners and Mercedes-Benz to deliver clean racing.
"We take that responsibility very seriously. I look forward to concluding the season with hard, fair competition on and off track right up to the final lap of the season in Abu Dhabi."
Hamilton also posted a message on his official Facebook page, saying: "Today we came together as a team and discussed our differences.
"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. What’s important is how we rise as a team from these situations. We win and we lose together and, as a team, we will emerge stronger.
"There is a deep foundation that still exists for me and Nico to work from, in spite of our difficult times and differences. We have the greatest team, the strongest group of individuals who have worked their hands to the bone to give us the best car you see us racing today. It’s important that we never forget that and give them the results they deserve.
"Today, Toto and Paddy told us clearly how we must race against each other from now on in a fair and respectful manner. The fans want to see a clean fight until the end of the season and that’s what we want to give them.
"It’s going to be a tough road from here but Championships have been won from much further back than I am now. And I promise you that I will be giving everything and more to win this for my team, for my family and for my fans."
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