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Rosberg punished but Mercedes duo 'free to race'

Rosberg has apologised to Hamilton for their clash in Belgium last weekend.

Pole sitter Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1, and team mate Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 in the qualifying FIA Press Conference
(L to R): Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W05 and team mate Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1 W05 battle for position shortly before making contact
Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1 W05 with tyre debris attached to his antenna
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W05 leads at the start of the race
Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1 in the FIA Press Conference
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 in the FIA Press Conference
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W05
Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1 in the FIA Press Conference
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 in the FIA Press Conference
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W05
Pole sitter Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1, and team mate Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 in the qualifying FIA Press Conference
Nico Rosberg, Mercedes AMG F1 Team and Valtteri Bottas, Williams F1 Team
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 on the grid

Aug.29 (GMM) Nico Rosberg apologised to his teammate Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes on Friday, after the German was punished by the team for last Sunday's crash.

Earlier on Friday, bosses Toto Wolff and Paddy Lowe met with the championship leader and Hamilton at Brackley, where Rosberg "acknowledged his responsibility" for the lap 2 incident at Spa "and apologised".

It has been made clear that another such incident will not be tolerated

Mercedes

But despite warning earlier that the era of 'free racing' may now be over, Mercedes said on Friday it "remains committed to hard, fair racing because this is the right way to win world championships".

"Suitable disciplinary measures have been taken for the incident," the media statement announced.

"It has been made clear that another such incident will not be tolerated," the statement added. "But Nico and Lewis are our drivers and we believe in them.

"They remain free to race" for the world championship, Mercedes said.

Rosberg apologises

Shortly after the Mercedes statement, Rosberg posted his own statement on Facebook.

It said he has spent "a lot of time thinking" about the Spa incident since Sunday.

As drivers, we have a clear responsibility to the team, the fans of the sport, our partners and Mercedes-Benz to deliver clean racing

Nico Rosberg

"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," said Rosberg.

"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.

"As drivers, we have a clear responsibility to the team, the fans of the sport, our partners and Mercedes-Benz to deliver clean racing.

"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," added Rosberg.

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