Nico Rosberg has described Lewis Hamilton’s Turn One move “extremely aggressive” after the pair made brief contact as they battled for the lead of the United States Grand Prix.
With Rosberg starting from pole, it was Hamilton who got the better start and drew alongside the German by the time they’d reached the first turn.
Hamilton forced Rosberg wide and went through into the lead as Rosberg struggled for grip on the slipper run-off, eventually dropping back to fourth place behind the Red Bulls.
“Turn one for sure was very aggressive,” said Rosberg. “I haven’t seen it, so I can’t comment yet.
“For sure it was extremely aggressive. We hit each other – or I would say Lewis came into me, so obviously that’s not good.”
Rosberg would retake the lead later in the race, only to gift the position back to the Briton – who went on to secure his third title – after a mistake meant he ran wide in the closing laps of the race.
“I jut got wheelspin, it’s never happened to me ever, not even in testing or racing,” he explained. “I can’t explain it. Just need to look into it.
“That was really really tough at the time to lose the lead like that and to lose the win because I was feeling really good at that point.”
The pair were seen hugging after the race, but the mood turned sour when Hamilton tossed the second position podium cap onto Rosberg’s lap, only for Rosberg to swiftly throw it back at Hamilton.
