Lewis Hamilton: 'Nico Rosberg crashed into me on purpose'

Lewis Hamilton has claimed that Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg admitted to crashing into him on purpose during today's Belgian Grand Prix.

Rosberg attempted to bypass Hamilton on lap two at Spa-Francorchamps, only to clip the Englishman's left-rear tyre and cause a puncture that ultimately ruined his race.

The duo have been involved in a heated rivalry all season, and Hamilton insisted after the race that Rosberg, who went on to claim second place, did it to "prove a point".

"We just had a meeting about it and he basically said he did it on purpose. He said he did it on purpose," Hamilton told reporters.

"He said he could have avoided it. He said 'I did it to prove a point', he basically said 'I did it to prove a point'.

"And you don't have to just rely on me. Go and ask Toto, Paddy and all those guys who are not happy with him as well."

Daniel Ricciardo went on to win the race, while Rosberg is now 29 points ahead of Hamilton in the drivers' championship with seven races remaining.