Rosberg: Verstappen deserved penalty for Leclerc overtake

Nico Rosberg admitted to conflicting opinions following the Austrian Grand Prix, stating his belief that Max Verstappen was a worthy winner, but suggesting his late-race move on Charles Leclerc ought to have been punished.

Leclerc was forced off the track by Verstappen diving down the inside at Turn 3 with just three laps remaining, but stewards saw fit not to take further action, albeit more than three hours after the race.

Ferrari were infuriated, especially given Sebastian Vettel had lost out in Canada due to a controversial stewards' decision.

And Rosberg, speaking on his post-race YouTube debrief, sympathised with the Scuderia, while hailing Verstappen the right winner.

"I think Verstappen deserves victory because he was simply super," Rosberg said. "But I also have to say, and that sounds stupid now, I think Max drove far out on purpose and turned in very late.

"He knew from the previous lap that this would be the only way to win the race.

"In the first overtaking attempt, he left a lot of room on the outside and Leclerc was able to counter.

"He knew he had to push him out. He turned in very late. He was far away from his usual driving line because normally he hit the apex exactly.

"He was far away from his usual line and as a result, I, unfortunately, think he should have got a penalty.

"And of course that's a pain in the ass because we want to see racing, these wheel-to-wheel fights."