Mercedes amused by interpretations that team orders were behind Hamilton's pass of Rosberg
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg of Germany, foreground, drives off the track while his teammate Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain overtakes him during the Italian Formula One Grand Prix at the Monza racetrack, in Monza, Italy, Sunday, Sept. 7, 2014. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) (The Associated Press)
Mercedes appears to be amused over interpretations that team orders were behind Lewis Hamilton's pass of teammate and rival Nico Rosberg that set up his Italian Grand Prix win.
The Brackley, England-based team tweeted a picture Monday of flying pigs with the attached message: "BREAKING NEWS: Dramatic scenes in the skies over Brackley as #NR6 hands #ItalianGP victory to #F1 WDC rival #LH44..."
The key moment in Sunday's race came on lap 29 of 53 as Hamilton had recovered from a poor start to pull up behind Rosberg.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Clearly feeling Hamilton's presence behind him, Rosberg braked hard and drove straight through the first chicane at the end of Monza's main straightaway, allowing Hamilton to easily pass him.
Mercedes executive director Toto Wolff denied that team orders were in place.