(L to R): Lewis Hamilton (GBR) Mercedes AMG F1 W05 and Nico Rosberg (GER) Mercedes AMG F1 W05 battle at Les Coombes on lap 2. Rosberg damaged his front wing and punctured the left rear wheel of Hamilton's car in the process. Formula One World Championship, Rd12, Belgian Grand Prix, Race Day, Spa-Francorchamps, Belgium, Sunday, 24 August 2014. © Sutton Images
During a meeting at Mercedes’ UK headquarters on Friday attended by both drivers as well as head of motorsport Toto Wolff and executive director (technical) Paddy Lowe, Rosberg "acknowledged his responsibility for the contact that occurred on lap two of the Belgian Grand Prix and apologised for this error of judgement".
In a statement issued by the team, Mercedes made it clear that while it would not be issuing team orders, "suitable disciplinary measures have been taken for the incident" and further contact between the two men would not be accepted.
“Mercedes-Benz remains committed to hard, fair racing because this is the right way to win world championships,” the statement read. “It is good for the team, for the fans and for Formula One.
“Lewis and Nico understand and accept the team's number one rule: there must be no contact between the team's cars on track. It has been made clear that another such incident will not be tolerated. But Nico and Lewis are our drivers and we believe in them.”
Despite sustaining front wing damage in the incident, Rosberg went on to finish second at Spa-Francorchamps, whilst Hamilton retired after sustaining damage limping back to the pits with a puncture.
The result enabled Rosberg to extend his championship lead over Hamilton to 29 points with seven races remaining.