Championship leader Nico Rosberg and Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton appeared at odds again, if not poles apart, as they renew their Formula One title battle in Belgium this weekend.

Returning to work after the long August break, both drivers were asked about a “team orders” controversy that erupted at the previous race in Hungary.

Rosberg indicated they had discussed the situation and moved on. Hamilton said there had been no talks between the two and saw no need for any.

“I gather it was a bit of a mess afterwards, after Hungary, so it’s best I don’t add too much, I think, and I continue to not give too many details,” Rosberg told a news conference without Hamilton present.

“In general, of course, we discussed it after the race – just because it’s important to review a situation like that and know how to move forward.

“Now we’re moving forward but, of course, I have also learned various things from that race which I will try to adapt for the future,” added the German, relaxed after a vacation on the Italian islands of Capri and Ischia.

Rosberg is 11 points ahead of Hamilton after 11 of 19 races, despite the Briton having won five times to his four for the sport’s dominant team.

In Hungary, Hamilton had started in the pitlane while Rosberg was on pole and seemingly headed for victory.

By the chequered flag in a race twice interrupted by the safety car, Hamilton was third and Rosberg fourth – with the German complaining that his team-mate had not let him through when the team had asked him to.

Hamilton, with some justification, pointed out that Rosberg had never been close enough and he was not about to slow down and scupper his own chances. The team subsequently supported his actions.

“There wasn’t (a discussion). I don’t know what Nico has said but we haven’t all sat down together as yet,” Hamilton, who topped free practice yesterday, told reporters.

“I’m not particularly sure it needs to happen,” added the 2008 world champion.

“I’ve come here quite clear on what is to be done and needs to be done, and I feel quite comfortable with how the team has reacted and also the decision they have made.

“It’s very clear for me. I’m not sure it’s the same for the other side.”

Belgian Grand Prix statistics

Lap distance: 7.004 kilometres.

Total distance: 308.052km (44 laps).

2013 pole: Lewis Hamilton (Britain) Mercedes, two minutes 01.012 seconds.

2013 winner: Sebastian Vettel (Germany) Red Bull.

Lap record: 1:47.263, Vettel 2009.

Tyres: Medium (white), Soft (yellow)

Wins

• Mercedes have won all but two races so far this season. The exceptions were Canada and Hungary, both won by Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo.

• Red Bull’s quadruple world champion Sebastian Vettel has 39 career wins, Fernando Alonso 32, Lewis Hamilton 27, Kimi Raikkonen 20 and Jenson Button 15. Championship leader Nico Rosberg has seven.

• Hamilton is level with triple champion Jackie Stewart in the all-time list of winners. The only British driver to have won more is Nigel Mansell (31).

• Ferrari have won 221 races, McLaren 182, Williams 114 and Red Bull 49. Mercedes have won 22 and one more would lift them level with now-defunct Tyrrell.

• McLaren have not won for 30 races, a run that dates back to Brazil 2012.

Circuit

• Spa is the longest lap of the season and one of the fastest, with an average speed of around 230kph. Cars are flat out for about 70 per cent of the time, making it the hardest circuit of the year for engines.

• The circuit has hosted 46 of the 57 Belgian GPs to date.

• Michael Schumacher won six times at Spa, more than any driver. Kimi Raikkonen has four wins there.

• There are no Belgian Formula One drivers at present. The last Belgian to score points in F1 was Thierry Boutsen in 1992.

• Ferrari and McLaren have both won 12 times at Spa.