Rosberg Spa clash stance makes Hamilton unsure over FIA F1 policing
Lewis Hamilton says the FIA's decision not to punish Nico Rosberg for their Belgian Grand Prix clash leaves him unsure how hard Formula 1 drivers can now race each other
Rosberg's post-race confession to having caused the clash with Hamilton on lap two at Spa, and his subsequent public apology, prompted suggestions that the FIA should reopen an investigation into the incident.
But the governing body has stood firm, insisting that unless there is a firm piece of new evidence to suggest a rules infringement then it should not look at the matter again.
OPINION: How could Mercedes punish its drivers?
During an intense media conference ahead of the Italian GP, Hamilton reckoned that there were some unanswered issues that needed resolving.
"I think the FIA have a really tough job and particularly over the last couple of years they have done an exceptional job on a majority of the calls," he said, when asked if the FIA needed to look into such incidents more.
"Their problem is that the scenario is always different so the same rule doesn't always apply exactly - sometimes it is difficult to say which rules apply to what situation.
"It is a good question to be honest. How do we move forward from that?
"Does that mean we can now all say we can race a lot closer and if the guy in front comes off and is out of the race nothing will happen, so they will be more relaxed about it?
"Or does it mean if it happens again there will be a penalty?
"We are always asking to be able to race. It is hard out there to manoeuvre a car at high speeds without sometimes having contact, but there is a fine line.
"I don't have the full answer to it."
NO DIVIDED GARAGE
Both drivers also played down talk of a divided garage in the wake of the Spa crash.
"I haven't noticed that is the case," Hamilton said.
"We have a professional team, and they just want to win so they will be working as hard as they can."
The Secret Mechanic: Mercedes' fun is over
Rosberg added: "In general there has been all season a healthy rivalry.
"We have the best car out there, we are the best team and that is because we work well as a team.
"And if you can't work as a team you don't dominate the sport as we do at the moment."
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