Mercedes plays down Schumacher’s fist-waving at Rosberg

Mercedes has played down an apparent incident between its F1 drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg.

During Friday practice at Silverstone, Italian media colleagues spotted Schumacher waving his fist from his cockpit at his younger countryman Rosberg.

Blick newspaper said the 41-year-old had been held up on a fast lap, but quoted a Mercedes official as describing the incident as a "misunderstanding".

And a British media colleague said Mercedes insists the relationship between the pair is still in good shape.

Also in the Silverstone paddock, Rosberg played down his recently misreported comments about the development pace of the W01 car.

"It is true that Valencia was a disaster for us," he is quoted by Finland’s Turun Sanomat. "Who wants to be in positions 12 or 15?

"But I never criticised Ross, who I respect as a great personality and a skilful team leader."