Nico Rosberg has been penalised for his actions in the last lap collision with team mate Lewis Hamilton at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Rosberg was leading the race, whilst suffering with brake-by-wire failure on his Mercedes W06 Hybrid, but conceded the lead and race to Hamilton after breaking his front wing in the incident at the Remus Kurve. He limped home in fourth, also losing thirteen points to rival Hamilton in the World Championship standings.

Mercedes Executive Director Toto Wolff labelled the crash as “brainless” and “upsetting”and fears he may have to implement team orders to prevent it such a circumstance from happening again. It may also put Rosberg’s position at the Brackley team under threat, as he is yet to sign a contract extension; his current deal runs out at the end of the season.

The German has received a 10 second penalty, 2 penalty points on his Superlicence and has been given a reprimand by the FIA.

The stewards report, compiled by Martin Donnelly, Garry Connelly, Radovan Novak and Wilhelm Singer reads as so:

“Having taken note of the extensive evidence given by both drivers and the video and telemetry data, it was apparent that Car 44 (HAM) was in front of Car 6 (ROS) – i.e. more than fully alongside – and that the driver of Car 44 could have clearly made the turn (T2) on the track, if not for the resultant collision.  Car 6 did not allow Car 44 “racing room” and hence the driver of Car 6 was responsible for the collision”

It’s not the only sting in the tail for the 30 year-old, the reprimand (which is his first of the season) comes as a result of continuing to complete the race whilst carrying significant damage to his car – dragging his front wing along with the T-Tray and thus spreading debris across the circuit. This is a breach of Article 12.1.1 h) in the FIA International Sporting Code, but the stewards were aware of the German’s attempt to slow down sufficiently.

“Article 22.11 of the Formula One Sporting Regulations requires a driver with serious mechanical difficulties to leave the track as soon as it is safe to do so.  We do note the extenuating circumstances and the fact that the driver of Car 6 (ROS) did slow down significantly and attempted to mitigate the risk to other drivers and cars.”

It does not have any effect on his fourth placed finish.

Jeagles

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