Italian GP: Mercedes' warning not on Hamilton/Rosberg's minds

A fortnight on from the Spa collision that exploded Rosberg and Hamilton's 2014 F1 world championship battle to new levels of intensity, the duo will line up on the front row again at Monza, where Hamilton was quicker by just under three tenths of a second in qualifying.

Crunch meetings were held at Mercedes' Brackley factory last week in the wake of the Spa incident, after which the team declared that its drivers were still free to race but absolutely could not make contact again.

But asked if that warning would be on his mind in Sunday's Italian GP, poleman Hamilton replied: "It won't be ringing in my ears.

"We are free to race. That was the decision last week so it continues as usual."

Rosberg said as Mercedes had always been clear that collisions were unacceptable, there was no need for any rethink in how to race each other.

"It has not changed since before we started the season," said Rosberg.

"The message has been clear. There is no real change at the moment, it is the same as always."

Both Mercedes drivers have had mechanical issues through the weekend, with electronics-related problems sidelining Hamilton for much of practice two and Rosberg for all of practice three.

Hamilton said this was no great concern for the race.

"I've had it quite a few times on my side of the garage," he said. "I feel optimistic, the guys have rectified any problems we have had this weekend.

"[Fearing problems] is a not a mindset we can go into a race with."