Mercedes has issued an official statement following a meeting to resolve the situation that arose in Belgium last week.

It reads:

"Toto Wolff, Paddy Lowe, Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton met today in the boardroom 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."

LATEST NEWS

more news >

LATEST IMAGES

galleries >

Click to go to the main galleries section

READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Robert, 30/08/2014 13:33

"Keep it fun, not personal!"

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

2. Posted by Robert, 30/08/2014 13:16

"I am a huge fan of fair and exciting close racing, and to me, it doesn’t really matter who the driver is quite frankly!
I now have the best way of describing Nico’s ‘overtaking’ move on Lewis on lap 2 of a 44 lap race is:’Reckless’!
I think this is the judgment of Mercedes, and all fans of fair and exciting close racing!
Nico might not have ‘intended’ to take Lewis out of the race, but I think it is too lenient to just call it a ‘clumsy accident’ because Nico was never in a position to overtake on that corner but he didn’t care about the consequences which he knew very well, and that is Reckless!

Additionally, the top rival drivers, and we the fans, do expect better driving than that from Nico and any driver who wishes to be respected!

And to Brent wherever you are: Of course we’re making it up as we go along, everyone commenting here and everywhere else are just making it up and just releasing some frustration because we couldn’t see a great race due to Nico’s recklessness, and having a bit of fun!?

Ok, I’m probably going to be banned now! Lol"

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

3. Posted by Paul RB, 30/08/2014 12:30

"How many rear end/front wing incidents do we see? Furthermore, while the leading driver may well suffer a puncture this is not universal, while the following driver is almost guaranteed front wing damage, the severity of which is a pure lottery. Therefore it is irrational to suggest that Rosberg’s action was deliberate (as many have); an error of judgement certainly, deliberate no. I return to my opening sentence; how many rear end/front wing incidents do we see? Well, lots is the answer but it seems to me that whenever Hamilton is involved in a race incident, sulks and histrionics are guaranteed to follow. He is forever the victim and all the world is against him. And let’s remember that he’s hardly been Mr Squeaky-Clean himself (a charge that could be laid against most of the drivers at some time or other, such is the nature of the game). Only as recently as Germany, he made a laudable climb up through the field, but the outcome of some of his “Crash Harry” passes were more a matter of luck than judgement that they didn’t end in tears. Of course it’s all exciting racing but let’s keep this in perspective. And in an activity as high tension and finely balanced as F1, making an ‘error of judgement’ the subject of a protracted internal enquiry, followed by announcements of disciplinary action alluding to a need for ‘punishment’ is truly absurd. "

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

4. Posted by Robert, 29/08/2014 17:32

"I personally don't believe that Nico is being magnanimous here (ie ambassador for Mercedes)! I believe that Mercedes really wants to keep Lewis in the team and give him a new contract for another 3 years, and to get Nico to apologies and take responsibility for the collision, to pacify Lewis, the fans, sponsors and bosses, Mercedes probably had to threaten Nico with an ultimatum to comply if he wanted to stay on, notwithstanding his new contract!

I'm not a Lewis super-nut, I just like fair and exciting F1 racing, and the most exciting drivers in F1 are Lewis and Fernando bar non (well, maybe Daniel)! Nico is not quite there yet and if he does win the Championship, it would be more because of Lewis's unreliable car!"

Rating: Positive (1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

5. Posted by nonickname, 29/08/2014 16:49

"Only one of the 2 strike me as an ambassador for Mercedes......"

Rating: Neutral (0) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

6. Posted by Editor, 29/08/2014 16:38 (moderated by an Adminstrator, 29/08/2014 16:42)

"@ Robert

To answer your own question.... "I don't need to say anymore do I?"

No.

You have made your point... repeatedly."

Rating: Positive (2) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

7. Posted by Robert, 29/08/2014 16:34

"To all those Nico fans and anti-Lewis supportors:

Don't you ALL feel so stupid and foolish now for blaming Lewis for the collision, and accusing him of playing the victim!!!???

The Mercedes Team has just disciplined Nico and he has apologised to Lewis and the team and admits to his 'error of judgement'!!! I don't need to say anymore do I?

And ALL those biased writer shouldn't called themselves 'journalists' if they can't be fair and objective!!! They should be really ashamed now for their previous biased articles!!!"

Rating: Negative (-1) Rate comment: Positive | NegativeReport this comment

Mercedes issues statement following Spa incident

LATEST NEWS

RELATED ARTICLES

LATEST IMAGES

POST A COMMENT

Post your comment

READERS COMMENTS

Share this page