Toto Wolff warns that Mercedes-GP ‘weak link’ is relationship between drivers

Mercedes-GP will consider changing their driver line-up if the strained relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg has a detrimental effect on their team, Toto Wolff has warned.

The chill between teammates Lewis Hamilton, left, Nico Rosberg at Mercedes-GP is palpable ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP
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Mercedes-GP will consider changing their driver line-up if the strained relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg has a detrimental effect on their team, Toto Wolff has warned.

Wolff, the Mercedes executive director, said the tension between his two drivers as the team’s “biggest weakness”.

Hamilton’s relationship with Rosberg is at an all-time low following two years in which they have battled it out for the Formula One drivers’ championship.

Mercedes have sealed consecutive constructors’ titles while Hamilton beat Rosberg to claim his third world title, and second in a row, this year.

“We struggle sometimes in winning races on Sunday and having always one driver upset,” Wolff told www.motorsport.com. “This spills over into the team. It is something that needs to stop.

“There is lots going on behind closed doors. I feel that the team is stronger than ever. We are having huge unity within the team, but the difficult relationship of the drivers is one of our weaknesses. And that is not good.

“If I were to analyse what are the biggest strengths and the biggest weakness of the team, I would say the biggest strength is the quality and the characters of the personalities within the team.

“The biggest weakness is the dynamic of the relationship between the drivers, and sometimes between the drivers and the team.”

Hamilton, who saw off Rosberg’s title challenge with three races to spare, was accused of “extremely aggressive driving” by his teammate after the pair banged wheels in the United States Grand Prix last month. Rosberg then threw a cap at his teammate ahead of the podium celebrations.

“Going forward, we will consider if it is the best set-up for the team,” Wolff said. “Personality and character within the team is a crucial ingredient for the team success.”

Hamilton, who said he wants to end his career with Mercedes, signed a new three-year deal in May. Rosberg’s current contract expires next year, but the German said last month that he has no desire to leave the team.

“No, at the moment I am happy where I am,” Rosberg said.

“The job this team is doing is awesome. It feels like my team in a way. I built this up with everyone else and this is my sixth year now. It is my home.”

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