Lewis Hamilton sparks confusion with tweets about withdrawn Mercedes protest

“What an awesome weekend”. Rosberg exclaimed after the race.

Speaking briefly at the official press conference for the top three drivers, Hamilton said: “I don’t think the damp patch had really anything to do with it”. “I understand from their (back-markers) perspective you want to race but the guys lapping you are racing for a podium so you have to have a different approach”.

Second-placed Verstappen had managed to keep the chasing pack at bay all through.

Hamilton’s hopes of a third successive win at this track were over after the first few seconds.

He then botched his start on Sunday – falling six places to eighth – before ending a weird weekend by calling on Mercedes to withdraw their post-race protest against Max Verstappen which could have promoted Hamilton to second.

It was Rosberg’s ninth victory of the season as he closes in on his first Formula One world championship and Hamilton had to be content with third place behind Max Verstappen.

Out in front: Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany leads Red Bull driver Max Verstappen.

Hamilton came on strong at the end, and closed in on Vertsappen with a handful of laps remaining in the race.

Hamilton tried to overtake at the chicane on the penultimate lap, but Verstappen dived to the inside and the Mercedes driver ran wide when he out-braked himself.

But Hamilton claims it is he who dismissed the appeal, tweeting: “There is no protest from myself”.

Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel rose to third behind Rosberg and Verstappen by lap three, from sixth on the grid as he made up a three-place grid penalty for causing a collision with Rosberg last week.

Both Sergio Perez and Nico Hulkenburg brought in points for Force India, finishing seventh and eight, respectively.

“It’s not over, there’s four weekends to go”, said Wolff.

“But there are still many races to go so I’m just keeping my head down”. That’s nine more than Rosberg and it’s clearly a concern for Mercedes. The fans here always create a special atmosphere and they’ve put on such a great show.

But his team boss Toto Wolff had no doubt that the Briton would regroup before the next race in Austin, Texas, where he sealed the title past year with three rounds to spare. I’m not going to get too down about it.

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Formula One is desperately in need of promotion and it would be interesting to see what the American company Liberty Media, who are expected to complete their takeover of the sport next year, would make of their star turn refusing to engage in media conferences.