Hamilton, who was leading teammate Rosberg before Monaco, had to take the back seat again after the recent race. PHOTO: REUTERS
The dominance of the Mercedes car this season means Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton are already in a private battle for this year’s drivers’ championship, with Rosberg leading by four points after victory in Monaco.
The Monaco Grand Prix saw tension between the two reached an all-time high after Rosberg claimed pole position in a controversial qualifying session, although Hamilton insists the two teammates are now back on speaking terms.
However, if the rivalry results in an on-track clash, Wolff has warned that it may mean the team has to intervene with team orders.
“It’s so difficult, because you have to ask how the crash happened?” said Wolff. “Is it black and white so you can really say it was caused by one single driver or individual?
“If it really came to the ugly situation where it is clear that it is the fault of one of them, then this would mean our system has failed; our system of letting them manage themselves and letting them race has failed.
“This would mean we would have to intervene in a way to make the whole thing more boring, which would mean team orders.”
Additionally, Wolff said Mercedes would learn to avoid complacency after Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo closed up on Hamilton in the final stages of the Monaco race.
“We need to analyse this lesson for the future because you can be caught out by surprise.”
Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2014.
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