Hamilton rejects Rosberg's claims of 'backing up' teammate into Vettel's Ferrari during Chinese GP

Reigning Formula One champion Lewis Hamilton has rejected his teammate Nico Rosberg's claims that he was trying to back the German up into Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel during the Chinese Grand Prix

Rosberg felt that race winner Hamilton was driving unnecessarily slowly, backing him up into the chasing Ferrari of Vettel. He said that it was frustrating and put them under unnecessary pressure.

Responding to the accusations that he had done it on purpose, Hamilton said that that's absolutely not the case, adding that he wasn't trying to back him up into Vettel because ultimately they do need a one-two and that is a priority to the team, the BBC reported.

Hamilton said that if Rosberg wanted to get close to overtake he could have done, adding that he is not really quite sure what his teammate's problem is. He insisted that they were there to get one-two and they did, adding that there should not be too much aggression really.

However, Rosberg, who finished second ahead of Vettel, said that the two would discuss it with the team after the race, adding that they would have a discussion and see how it goes.

Rosberg's concern in Shanghai was that by bringing Vettel closer than he needed to be, it made Mercedes vulnerable to an attempt by Ferrari to either pass him by stopping first and benefitting from fresh tyres, known as undercutting, or by forcing Rosberg to do a longer final stint than his tyres could cope with.

Vettel did make an earlier than scheduled final stop, but Mercedes were able to handle it.

Rosberg claimed that it compromised his race massively at the time because the best possible race for Hamilton was to back him off into Vettel so that his compatriot would try to undercut him and he would have to respond.

Rosberg insisted that It was very frustrating Hamilton was taking it as easy on his tyres, adding that interestingly, the Briton said that he was just thinking about himself and that says it all.