25/08/2014 Nico Rosberg could face punishment from Formula 1 bosses after Lewis Hamilton claimed the German admitted to deliberately colliding with him during Sunday's Belgian Grand Prix.
Hamilton alleges that, in a meeting with Mercedes officials, Rosberg "basically said he did it on purpose".
Causing a collision is an offence under F1's sporting regulations.
Had the information come to light before the result was finalised, the stewards would have investigated.
However, motorsport's world governing body, the FIA, has the power to re-open a case if further evidence comes to light.
Mercedes have already conceded that Hamilton's remarks were a "broadly accurate" reflection of the post-race meeting.
The incident that overshadowed a victory for Red Bull's Daniel Ricciardo came very early in the race.
At the start of lap two, Rosberg's front wing hit Hamilton's left rear tyre, causing a puncture and ultimately ending the Englishman's race.
Wolff later claimed Rosberg's remarks had been misinterpreted.
"Nico felt he needed to hold his line," said Wolff. "He needed to make a point. He didn't give in. He thought it was for Lewis to leave him space and that Lewis didn't leave him space.
"For Lewis, it was clearly not him who needed to be aware of Nico.
"So they agreed to disagree in a very heated discussion among ourselves, but it wasn't deliberately crashing. That is nonsense."
Wolff had already blamed Rosberg for the collision and indicated that Mercedes could take internal disciplinary action.
As for any further punishment from F1 bosses, that is down to FIA president Jean Todt.
In contrast to predecessor Max Mosley, Todt has tended to take a non-confrontational approach to disciplinary issues in F1 since becoming president in 2009.
Yet, with so much information in the public domain, he may feel he has to act. If he does, it could set a dangerous precedent.
Rosberg currently has a 29-point advantage over Hamilton, with Ricciardo a further 35 points back.
Rosberg issued a statement following the meeting with Mercedes officials but did not make a reference to Hamilton's claims.
He said he "regretted that Lewis and myself touched" but felt it was "a racing incident".
He added: "I was quicker at the time and there was an opportunity, so I gave it a go around the outside as the inside was blocked.
"I didn't see any risk in overtaking, or trying to overtake, so why should I not try? The opportunity was there even without DRS because I was so much quicker, so I gave it a go. |