Rosberg not worried about penalty

The German driver's four-point advantage could yet become one point, with Rosberg under investigation for the advice given to him by Mercedes when gearbox problems threatened to end his podium hopes in the closing stages.

Nico Rosberg is confident of holding off the challenge from Lewis Hamilton.

Nico Rosberg is not worried about receiving a penalty for a radio message he received from Mercedes during the British Grand Prix.

Rosberg came home second on Sunday in a race in which the start was impacted by a heavy downpour, with team-mate Lewis Hamilton taking the win to trim the German's lead in the drivers' championship to four points. But that advantage could yet become one point, with Rosberg under investigation for the advice given to him by Mercedes when gearbox problems threatened to end his podium hopes in the closing stages.

Formula One rules permit advice via radio if the car is about to fail or if it is a critical safety issue. At the time Rosberg was stuck in seventh gear and was issued with a code to input into his panel. He was then instructed to avoid seventh gear, with that latter piece of guidance apparently the one that has resulted in Rosberg being investigated.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the race, Rosberg said: "The gearbox issue nearly ended my race, with some advice I managed to continue and get to the end of the race. Still some decent points."

Asked if the gearbox issue was critical in terms of safety, he replied: "I'm not an expert in those things, it was definitely critical. I'm not worried, the team have studied those rules so they understand what they can and can't say."

Mercedes non-executive chairman Niki Lauda was also asked about the messages, replying: "If you have a terminal failure you connect. I wouldn't pre-empt what the stewards say, but i think it was fine."

Rosberg said he takes a "glass half-full approach" to his lead over Hamilton, adding: "I don't think about that, I'm just disappointed, I wanted to win the Grand Prix. Lewis deserved it. I'm behind that now, I'm over it."