An unexpectedly strong gust of wind caused Nico Rosberg's unforced error at last weekend's United States Grand Prix and cost him victory, he told reporters.

The 30-year-old German said the freak gust blew him off course for both a win and his last chance of stopping Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton from claiming his third world title.

"It was a gust of wind, a big one," he said. "Seriously!"

He added, to some mirth among the reporters, that "everybody has it and you can't really use it as an excuse. It's still a mistake and I understand it now and that’s important for me.

"I think I did a great race except for one big mistake which cost me the win."

Rosberg declined to answer questions about his wheel-banging duel with Hamilton at the first corner on the opening lap at the Circuit of the Americas or talk about any change of attitude in his racing.

"It’s not the place for that," he said.

No "clear the air" talks between the pair, as suggested by Mercedes team chief Toto Wolff, have yet taken place.

Source: AFP