Hamilton cutting corner did not deserve a penalty - Rosberg

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Championship leader Nico Rosberg achieved another 'minimum requirement' race result in Mexico, finishing second to team mate Lewis Hamilton who reduced his gap with the German to 19 points.

Rosberg's race a relatively straightforward affair with the exception of Max Verstappen snapping twice at his Mercedes' heels.

The first attack by the Dutchman came soon after the start when the Red Bull attempted to edge out the Mercedes, and contact ensued, to the extent that Rosberg believed his car was damaged.

"It was quite a big thump and I thought my car would have been falling to bits," Rosberg said. "He locked up and ran me off the road, that was definitely too much."

Regarding Hamilton not incurring a penalty for cutting the first corner at the start, Hamilton was adamant the move did not warrant a punishment.

"Lewis went into the corner first, and came out first. That's  okay."

Verstappen inflicted another scare to Rosberg on lap 50 when he dived into the inside of the Mercedes into Turn 4 but ran too deep, conceding the corner to the German and enabling him to consolidate his second place.

"Lewis did a better job this weekend. There was a lot going on in the race but in the end, second place, I have to live with that.

"Lewis was quicker so he deserves the win, and for me, second was the best I could do."

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