Nico Rosberg takes blame for crash with Lewis Hamilton at F1 Belgian Grand Prix -

Mercedes disciplines Formula One points leader for second-lap crash at Spa

Nico Rosberg broke the Mercedes Formula One team’s No. 1 rule when he made contact with teammate Lewis Hamilton’s car on the second lap of the Belgian Grand Prix on Aug. 24.

That was the clear message following a meeting between Rosberg, Hamilton and team bosses Toto Wolff and Paddy Lowe in the Mercedes headquarters on Friday to discuss the situation in Belgium and to clarify team directives going forward.

The contact during the race between the two cars resulted in a sliced rear tire on Hamilton’s Mercedes. The incident led to Hamilton’s early retirement from the race. Hamilton scored no points, and Rosberg left Spa with a 29-point lead over Hamilton in the championship.

According to a statement released by the team on Friday, Rosberg acknowledged responsibility for the contact. He also apologized to the team for his actions.

The team statement revealed that Rosberg was disciplined. The nature of that disciplinary action was not disclosed.

“Mercedes-Benz remains committed to hard, fair racing because this is the right way to win world championships,” the team statement said. “It is good for the team, for the fans and for Formula One. Lewis and Nico understand and accept the team's No. 1 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.”