One of the lasting memories of the 2014 season was the clash between Mercedes teammates Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton which turned inner team tensions into an all out feud, although things have cooled down since then team boss Toto Wolff is not taking harmony for granted.
Since that tempestuous day at Spa-Francorchamps tensions were eased after Rosberg warmly congratulated Hamilton – his friend since their teenage years racing karts against each other – but Mercedes Head of Motorsport Toto Wolff does not rule out a repeat scenario.
“I have no illusions that 2015 will be an easier year,” Wolff said. “At this stage in their lives, they are teammates and competitors. This is how it is. It makes no sense to hope for harmony when no harmony can be expected.”
Mercedes could have defused the situation after the Spa incident by imposing team orders, but, despite the animosity it generated, let them continue racing against each other providing they did not create further controversy.
“That is when a team is getting pushed forward. The downside – the intense competition – we will live with,” Wolff said.
“We have learned from last season. We have matured as a team, including the drivers.”