Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff told AFP that the team will not attempt to halt the intense rivalry between Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.
The feud between the two drivers came to a head at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps in August, when Rosberg drove into Hamilton on the second lap. According to Wolff, this incident was a culmination of the rivalry that had been building up, and the team had anticipated a confrontation to clear the air.
Context of the Rivalry ¶
Wolff stated that the rivalry between Hamilton and Rosberg was beneficial for Formula One, but emphasized that the drivers must not cross the line of what is acceptable again. He noted that the team's approach is to let the drivers race, even if it's not always easy, as it is essential for the sport and the team's brand.
After the incident in Spa, Wolff acknowledged that the rivalry had reached an unacceptable level of risk, which was costing Mercedes points. Although Rosberg was punished, the team did not disclose the sanctions taken.
Response and Consequences ¶
Wolff insisted that the team's actions after the Spa incident had worked, citing the fact that they did not lose a race afterwards and achieved a one-two finish in the next five races. Hamilton, who won his second title, attributed his success to developing an impenetrable mental attitude in 2014 and expressed his determination to have an even better 2015 season.
Looking ahead to the new season, Wolff hinted that the team cars had not been stretched during pre-season training and that any changes to Formula One cars must be carefully negotiated. He also emphasized the need for teams to stop being negative about the sport and instead promote and support its image as the number one auto racing sport in the world.
The recovered account cited reporting by Capital FM.
