Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/other-sport/article/1584559/dangers-abound-mercedes-rivalry
Sport/ Other Sport

Dangers abound in Mercedes rivalry

Fans are lapping up the simmering Formula One row between Hamilton and Rosberg, but it is unhealthy for the team in the long term

The simmering tension between Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton spilled over into contact during the Belgium Grand Prix at the Spa-Francorchamps circuit. Rosberg accepted "responsibility" for the incident. Photo: AFP

I bet they have one at Mercedes. Possibly in the pits. Perhaps in the motorhome, who knows. I suppose, like all things F1, it will be shiny, made from the best materials and cost an absolute fortune.

I'm talking about a naughty seat because Nico Rosberg is in the doghouse with his bosses.

Alright, they might not have an actual place at the bottom of the stairs where you are sent for a 10-minute spell, but they've done their best to signal their displeasure with the German.

Managing the monsters you've created is never going to be a simple task

Inevitably, the simmering tension between him and Lewis Hamilton spilled over into contact at Spa. Once again Hamilton seemed to get the raw end of the deal, not finishing the race.

At the time the stewards saw nothing wrong, but the Mercedes management did and voiced their displeasure.

Then came the team meeting. I'm sure Christian "Toto" Wolff and Niki Lauda both did their best impressions of exasperated parents and scolded both drivers.

Suitably chastised, both drivers released statements acknowledging they had made mistakes and how much they respected the other. This is a bit like a parent trying to get a child to say sorry to their sibling, and then asking them to say it again "as if you mean it", before they sneak off and continue fighting.

Rosberg has been punished, presumably with a fine. It would have to be a substantial one to mean much. To be honest, it shows how impotent Mercedes are in controlling their drivers and the situation. Their drivers sit one and two in the championship in the fastest car by some distance. They both want the title so badly they are tempted to grab it by almost any means. Managing the monsters you've created is never going to be a simple task.

I'm sure Mercedes will be more than aware that there is danger in this warfare.

Mercedes have signalled their displeasure with Nico Rosberg. Photo: AFP
Mercedes have signalled their displeasure with Nico Rosberg. Photo: AFP

In all the uproar, you may have forgotten who actually won the Belgian Grand Prix. Daniel Ricciardo is only 35 points behind Hamilton, and 74 behind Rosberg. He has outscored both Rosberg and Hamilton in the last six races. Although it's unlikely he will get a sniff of the title, if the Mercedes pair keep acting like karting lads on a stag weekend, you never know.

Wolff has hinted the team will approach the final seven races differently after Spa. Whether that means team orders remains to be seen. After letting these two race up to now they've created a perfect storm, a situation where they may have little control over their drivers.

People are now talking about whether these two can stay together at Mercedes long term.

Mark Webber, who knows a thing or two about team rivalries from his time at Red Bull, says the Mercedes duo are no longer a team. Heading to Monza's fast and challenging track this weekend it's rather good news for F1 fans.

One man who will be pondering more than the race in Italy this weekend is Jenson Button. The former world champion could be musing on an unwanted retirement at the end of the season. It's not much of a secret that McLaren fancy having Fernando Alonso back at the team to tie in with the new Honda engines next year.

Until they know whether the Spaniard is going to arrive next season, Button, whose contract is up at the end of the season, is in limbo.

Button has so often put himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, but luck was spectacularly on his side when he won the world championship with Brawn. After that, he decided to join McLaren rather than stay with the new Mercedes team.

It was decision that seemed good at the time, but the team have underperformed hugely. I'm sure he's desperate to still be at the team when the new Honda engines arrive. Perhaps the team owe him that much, but this is Formula One, where sentiment has no place.