Rosberg ban for grid pass misuse is ‘fake news’

Mark Scott
Nico Rosberg believes Ferrari have got the aerodynamics wrong on the SF90.

Nico Rosberg believes Ferrari have got the aerodynamics wrong on the SF90.

2016 World Champion, Nico Rosberg, has not been given a two-race ban for the misuse of his grid pass, contrary to reports.

Rumours circulated over the weekend that Liberty had banned Rosberg after he gave his lifetime grid pass – given to all World Champions – to his photographer at the Chinese Grand Prix.

As a result, the punishment reportedly was a two-race ban for Rosberg, meaning he would be denied entry at the Azerbaijan and Spanish Grand Prix.

“At the last minute, I wanted to give a friend the opportunity to go to the grid so I gave him my pass,” Rosberg told the DPA news agency.

However, Formula 1 have said that no ban has been issued.

“Funny to see how fake news can spread so quickly,” the F1 media Twitter account said.

“Nico Rosberg misused his pass in China, apologised immediately and will get his pass back at the next race he’s set to come to – Monaco. No ban!”

Georg Nolte, Rosberg’s assistant, also confirmed that the rumours were false.

“It’s not true,” Nolte said.

“There was a brief discussion in China with the F1 accreditation officer and that was the end of it.”

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