Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain listens headphone during the driver’s parade, prior to the start of the British Formula One Grand Prix at the Silverstone racetrack, Silverstone, England, Sunday, July 10, 2016.
Advertisement
The team added that it would push for the radio rules to be relaxed, describing them as “over-regulation”.
And Hamilton’s day was made even better when Rosberg was demoted to third for breaching the sport’s strict team radio rules as he sought to resolve a gearbox issue in the closing stages.
The statement concluded: “The team accepts the stewards’ interpretation of the regulation, their decision and the associated penalty”.
SILVERSTONE, England Lewis Hamilton turned Silverstone into his own personal mosh pit on Sunday, riding a wave of energy to the chequered flag before celebrating his fourth British Grand Prix victory with some impromptu crowd-surfing.
Verstappen got past Rosberg on the outside on lap 16 to loud cheers from the stands, but the German – after complaining about Verstappen’s defensive tactics – eventually overtook the Dutch teenager on lap 38.
Red Bull’s other driver Daniel Ricciardo finished fourth, and fifth went to Ferrari’s Kimi Räikkönen more than a minute off the pace of the victor.
Rosberg was slowed by a gearbox problem five laps from the end and crossed the line 6.9 seconds behind, with a question mark over his result after Mercedes seemingly broke the rules on radio advice by telling him to avoid seventh gear.
The penalty saw Rosberg’s Formula One championship lead over Hamilton cut to one point. By lap 12, he was 5.2 seconds clear with Rosberg 1.4 clear of Verstappen.
Nico Rosberg insisted the communication was within the rules due to an exception allowing teams to communicate “a critical problem with the car”.
Article 27.1 states that “the driver must drive the auto alone and unaided”.
“Ever since 2007 I’ve felt this incredible energy from these fans here”, said Hamilton, after Mansell had told him: “Welcome to the club”.
His Mercedes team promptly announced it was their intention to lodge an appeal against the decision.
“I’m catching him, so let’s keep going”, he told reporters.
Advertisement
“Firstly I am glad that the good English weather came out”.
