Nico Rosberg will decide in the coming days whether he needs to hold clear-the-air talks with Lewis Hamilton following their spectacular collision in Sunday’s Spanish Grand Prix.

Both Mercedes cars failed to progress beyond the fourth turn of a race eventually won by 18-year-old Max Verstappen after Hamilton lost control of his car and crashed into his team-mate.

It marked the latest low in a relationship which has become increasingly strained as the former childhood friends fight for the World Championship for a third successive year.

Rosberg, the son of 1982 world champion Keke, boarded his private jet to his residence in Monaco to have dinner with his parents in the aftermath of Sunday’s crash.

And it is from there where he will determine if he needs to speak to Hamilton ahead of the next round of the championship, which takes place in Rosberg’s adopted home.

“That is something I need to think about in the days to come,” said Rosberg.

“I can’t tell you now as I am extremely gutted. It is very tough because it was my race to win.”

Hamilton, who apologised to his team but refused to accept blame for the crash, attempted to pass Rosberg on the exit of turn three.

With Rosberg in the wrong engine mode and down on power, Hamilton suddenly closed on his team-mate.

Rosberg moved to his right to defend the lead, Hamilton ended up on the grass, before slamming into his team-mate.

Prost’s view

Alain Prost, the four-time world champion, who formed one half of Formula One’s greatest-ever rivalries with Brazilian Ayrton Senna, lauded Mercedes’ decision to allow Hamilton and Rosberg to continue their battle on the track.

But the Frenchman warned that they may be forced into a re-think if Hamilton, who remains 43 points behind his team-mate with a possible 400 still to play for, and Rosberg are involved in another crash.

“The consequence is big but thanks to Mercedes to let the drivers be free,” said Prost.

“At the moment it is only the first time in three years that they have taken each other out.

“We have to be careful that we don’t over-react.”