Hamilton did nothing wrong – Lauda

Rosberg launched an attack on teammate Hamilton after losing out to the Briton in the race, saying the world champion had compromised his chances by driving too slowly during the grand prix.

Hamilton said he was baffled by Rosberg's claims.

Three-time world champion Lauda suggested Rosberg had no excuse and was simple angry.

"Lewis was better this weekend," said Lauda after the race.

"Last year, Lewis won the championship, but there's been races where Nico won, so we have to be fair, but this weekend Lewis was quicker."

Nico "is the same as Lewis"

While Lauda thinks Hamilton did nothing wrong, he said it is only natural for Formula 1 racers to drive selfishly, and he reckons Rosberg could be as "nasty" as his teammate given the chance.

"Sure, he will drive selfish, what do you think? These guys, I call them egocentric... past that," he added.

"This is the only way to win, and to win a championship. They are all the same.

"So Nico is the same as Lewis, and Lewis is the same as Nico in the end, if the shit hits the fan. That's the way it is.

"I think Nico tried all the way, you can see that in the laptimes. He tried hard, hard, hard to beat him, but in the end it didn't work out."

Lewis "has the talent to bite"

He added: Lewis bites. "He has the talent to bite, but I think Nico is as nasty as he is when he sees the chance, don't worry.

"There's no friendship out there. When you race, you have to fight."

Lauda insisted the relationship between Rosberg and Hamilton will not change after this.

"No, it's always the same, good or bad, it doesn't matter," said Lauda. "They fight each other, which is normal.

"In the end they will cool down, go to Bahrain and start all over again, the same fight."