Nico Rosberg: 'Lewis Hamilton pass cost me Japanese Grand Prix win'

Nico Rosberg has hit out at Mercedes teammate Lewis Hamilton after a "close" encounter at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Hamilton overtook Rosberg early on the first lap and Rosberg dropped back to fourth.

Despite fighting back to finish second - one place behind Hamilton - Rosberg told BBC Sport that he had to allow Hamilton to pass to "avoid a collision".

He said: "It got really close on the exit of Turn Two and I had to back out of it there and that lost me the race.

"I haven't seen it on TV. For sure it was close. I had to avoid a collision, but it is difficult to comment now."

Hamilton's victory in Japan extends his lead at the top of the Driver Championship to 48 points.