Mercedes withdraws Rosberg appeal

Mercedes will not appeal the penalty imposed on Nico Rosberg by stewards at the British Grand Prix but claim they intend to continue opposing “over-regulation” in Formula One.

“But I would definitely say through that rough patch I was going through in terms of reliability, it is hard to handle when you want to win the world championship as much as I do”. In the constructors standing, Mercedes leads with 335 points, with Ferrari (204) at second and Red Bull (198) at third.

Hamilton’s fourth win of the season was his 47th career victory and his fourth triumph in Great Britain, drawing him level with Nigel Mansell for wins on home soil.

The radio ban was introduced with the best of intentions, improving the show by restoring the power – and the gladiatorial status – to the drivers, but it has also had an impact on the quality of the show, as was the case with Lewis Hamilton in Baku. Sixth place would go to Sahara Force India’s Sergio Perez, while team-mate Nico Hulkenberg finished seventh. Toro Rosso driver Carlos Sainz crossed the flag at eighth position, while Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel and Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat completed the top-10 list.

The polesitter dominated from start to finish, with the initial laps behind a safety vehicle as heavy rain hit the famous circuit.

In fact, on lap 15, he was caught by wunderkid Max Verstappen who passed him on the outside at Becketts on the following lap, and kept second even after the following stop for slicks. That advice allowed Rosberg to repel Verstappen and take second place on the road. While Rosberg was pursuing Hamilton, he received a message via the team radio informing him that he’d lost seventh gear.

In a statement Monday a team statement said: “The Team accepts the Stewards’ interpretation of the regulation, their decision and the associated penalty”.

Article 27.1 states that “the driver must drive the auto alone and unaided”.

The penalty dropped Rosberg from second to third, costing the German three World Championship points.