Hamilton tactics ‘in the past’ – Rosberg says Mercedes should move on

Wolff had warned after the race of potential “anarchy” and possible disciplinary action after Hamilton ignored clear instructions as he battled with team-mate Nico Rosberg for the title.

Hamilton also withdrew from a tyre test in October with a sore foot.

Lewis Hamilton started the running for Mercedes but ended the day early because he felt unwell, with Pascal Wehrlein stepping in.

Lewis Hamilton joined Mercedes from McLaren at the beginning of the 2013 season, teaming up with childhood rival and good friend Rosberg who had already been there for a year.

Rosberg, who lost out to Hamilton in the previous two years, made it third time lucky on Sunday when he clinched his maiden title with a second-place finish behind the triple world champion at the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

A worse-for-wear Rosberg boarded a plane from Abu Dhabi to Malaysia for a team sponsorship appearance after celebrating his title triumph at a party on Sunday night. “It will now take some time for him to process this”.

The celebration tour continues all this week, with Rosberg visiting his home country of Germany on Wednesday, the team’s factory based in Brackley and the FIA Prize giving Gala in Austria on Friday, where he will officially be crowned World Champion.

When justifying his own decision to stick with 44 in 2015, Hamilton claimed having the number one on the auto was “irrelevant” as his rivals knew who the world champion was.

He said: “In terms of his tactics in the last race, you can understand the team’s perspective that they weren’t too happy with that”.

“I’ve got great respect for him because he does an incredible job”.

“The last races have been the best Lewis we have ever seen because he has no pressure”, said Rosberg.

“The way Nico attacked the end of the season, he didn’t go for the wins as much, so it was different. It’s done and it’s in the past”.

The Briton had to win the race to have the best chance of winning his fourth drivers crown and needed his teammate to finish fourth or below.

Hamilton’s driving has been defended by Red Bull boss Christian Horner and Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen, though Sebastian Vettel accused the Mercedes driver of employing “dirty tricks”.

“Lewis is an incredible driver, he’s one of the best of all-time”, Rosberg said.

But the German conceded relations with Hamilton “will always remain difficult”. “It’s a very intense environment and not easy”.