Nico Rosberg has admitted that he "did not expect" to be handed a penalty for his clash with Max Verstappen during the German Grand Prix.

The Mercedes driver fell down to fourth place at Hockenheim, despite qualifying on pole for the final race before the mid-season break.

Rosberg was punished for attempting to claw his way back into contention, being handed a five-second penalty by stewards after an unfair overtake on Verstappen on the 29th lap.

Speaking after the race, Sky Sports News quotes him as saying: "I thought it was a good battle [with Verstappen] and I was very surprised I got penalised. I didn't expect that at all."

Rosberg now trails Mercedes teammate Hamilton by 19 points in the drivers' championship.