Mercedes won't 'interfere' with driver battle - Lauda

Niki Lauda insists Mercedes' two drivers will continue to enjoy a free run to the 2014 title. Amid Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg's ever-intensifying clash for the world championship, boss Toto Wolff warned recently that "transparency" within the Brackley based team was beginning to suffer. "It's getting very competitive," he said. "Transparency is suffering a little bit and we need to make sure that this is not detrimental to the team."

Some interpreted that as a hint that an easing of the rivalry, for example through the imposition of team orders, might soon be put into place. But team chairman Lauda is adamant: "The fight was always free between the both of them and it will stay like that. I've been asked this question 40,000 times," the great Austrian is quoted by Brazil's Totalrace, "and nothing has changed. If we were to interfere, we could have done it from the beginning of the championship. But we did not."

In the Hamilton versus Rosberg battle, the momentum had swung back in favour of the German driver, but Briton Hamilton closed the gap to a mere 4 points with victory at Silverstone. "We are back to where we were after Monaco," said Lauda. "The fight will continue at full steam. We now go to Hockenheim, it may not be good for my heart, but it's fun," he laughed. (GMM)

Replies (0)

Login to reply

AZ Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

AZAzerbaijan Grand Prix

Local time 

World Championship standings 2025

Show full world champion standings

Test calendar

See full test schedule

Related news

Give your opinion!

Will Bottas challenge Hamilton for the world championship in 2020?

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix
Circuit
-
Bahrain
14 - Mar 16
Australia
21 - Mar 23
China
4 - Apr 6
Japan
11 - Apr 13
Bahrain
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia
2 - May 4
United States of America
16 - May 18
Italy
23 - May 25
Monaco
30 - Jun 1
Spain
13 - Jun 15
Canada
27 - Jun 29
Austria
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom
25 - Jul 27
Belgium
1 - Aug 3
Hungary
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands
5 - Sep 7
Italy
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan
3 - Oct 5
Singapore
17 - Oct 19
United States of America
24 - Oct 26
Mexico
7 - Nov 9
Brazil
21 - Nov 23
United States of America
28 - Nov 30
Qatar
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates
See full schedule

Formula 1 Calendar - 2025

Date
Grand Prix & Circuit
14 - Mar 16
Australia Albert Park
21 - Mar 23
4 - Apr 6
11 - Apr 13
18 - Apr 20
Saudi Arabia Jeddah Street Circuit
2 - May 4
United States of America Miami International Autodrome
16 - May 18
23 - May 25
Monaco Monte Carlo
30 - Jun 1
13 - Jun 15
27 - Jun 29
Austria Red Bull Ring
4 - Jul 6
United Kingdom Silverstone
25 - Jul 27
1 - Aug 3
Hungary Hungaroring
29 - Aug 31
Netherlands Circuit Zandvoort
5 - Sep 7
Italy Monza
19 - Sep 21
Azerbaijan Baku City Circuit
3 - Oct 5
17 - Oct 19
United States of America Circuit of the Americas
24 - Oct 26
7 - Nov 9
Brazil Interlagos
21 - Nov 23
United States of America Las Vegas Street Circuit
28 - Nov 30
5 - Dec 7
United Arab Emirates Yas Marina Circuit
See full schedule

Driver profile

  • Team Ferrari
  • Points 3,529
  • Podiums 132
  • Grand Prix 231
  • Country GB
  • Date of b. Jan 7 1985 (40)
  • Place of b. Tewin, GB
  • Weight 68 kg
  • Length 1.74 m
Show full profile

Team profile

Show full profile
show sidebar