The stewards had initially decided not to conduct a formal investigation into Rosberg's pole lap.

However, the German was summoned by an FIA document timed at 7.16pm, over three hours after qualifying ended, after new evidence emerged.

Sources have indicated that Hamilton had been in contact with the FIA, although it is not clear if he actually provided any new information.

Intriguingly, in the post-race press conference Hamilton talked extensively about the yellow flag issue and gave details about how Rosberg's apex speed on the yellow flag lap had been the same as on his previous lap, so it's possible that he provided similar information to the FIA.

Toto Wolff confirmed that Hamilton had been in touch with Whiting after qualifying, although the team principal was keen to play down the significance of that contact.

"I don't believe I influenced the stewards' enquiry," said Hamilton tonight.

"I have spoken to Charlie for clarification, because as I said in the press conference, which obviously I don't want to bring up again, but in the next scenario when I'm in the same position where I was all I have to do is lose a tenth in Turn 8, and even though there's a car facing me on the track in Turn 9, all I have to do is lose a tenth.

"Lifting and coasting into a corner, that's fuel saving. And braking at the same place and getting on the power five metres earlier or whatever it was, and being the same speed at the apex and actually much quicker at the exit…

"And also at the apex of the corner there was a yellow flag on the right for the Turn 9. It's just important to know. If that is the case, the precedent was set yesterday.

"He said he's going to think about it, because that's not how it should be. If I do the same thing in the next race, do we get penalised. All the young racers, all of us here, need to know."

Hamilton expects the matter to be discussed in the next driver's briefing in Germany next week.

"I believe so. I will definitely raise it, because as I said knowing that on a double waved yellow now is [lift] and then gas it and go back on it, and still go purple.

"I can still get pole while there's someone crashed or marshals on the track or a car in the middle of the road. If I get round him with only using a tenth, there should be no penalty."