Mercedes face team orders criticism after Hungary - Wolff and Lauda ponder mid-race instruction
Published by Christine
At one point during the Hungarian Grand Prix, Nico Rosberg closed up behind Lewis Hamilton and we heard team radio instructing Lewis to let Nico past, as the pair were on different strategies. Nico never did make it past, as Hamilton was adamant the following car should be closer so as not to sacrifice too much of his own race.
Afterwards, Mercedes advisor Niki Lauder said: “From my point of view, Lewis was right. And why the call came, this happened out of the panic and we had to make up for what we were losing.”
Executive Director (Business), Toto Wolff, suggested they were sticking to plans made earlier in the year and that perhaps with their championship lead, they could relax a little bit. He said: “Maybe we have come to a point where what we had at the beginning of the season doesn’t function anymore, because we cannot ask either driver to give up positions or jeopardise their own campaign and championship chances for the benefit of the team.”
