Anthony Hamilton, Father of Lewis Hamilton with the daughter of Ron Dennis, McLaren, Team Principal, Chairman

Had Rosberg taken the more conventional approach of running Hamilton out of road on the exit, while the Brit might not have appreciated the move in the heat of the moment battling for victory, deep down he'd have at least been able to accept that he - and pretty much any other racer - would have done the same.

There are eight-year-old kids racing karts who know how to pull that move off. For years at that level it's been known as "feed him the grass" if someone tries to get around the outside of you. You're taught that it's a necessary evil in battle from a very early age, and if you're not dishing it out, someone will be doing it to you instead.

Over their time racing together at Mercedes, with every forceful move Hamilton has pulled, the need has increased for Rosberg to prove he had something in response. Team bosses would shudder at the thought, but effectively Rosberg needed to show Hamilton that next time he'd be prepared to crash rather than simply be driven off the track.

The Austrian GP presented that opportunity, but Rosberg blew it.