1
Niki Lauda says Mercedes are letting Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton fight freely for the 2016 title.
The German marque's drivers are the only two drivers still in the championship race, but Lauda insists one won't get preferential treatment over the other.
"I don't talk to them. They are free to race," he told the Brazilian broadcaster Sportv.
"They can do whatever they want," Lauda reiterated. "Leave them alone and just watch. And it's interesting to watch.
"Nico has a comfortable lead, but there should be rain on Sunday and problems can happen," he said at Interlagos. "In Formula One you can only be sure of a title after you've won it."
While Rosberg has repeatedly said the championship is not on his mind, team boss Toto Wolff feels he is taking a conservative approach.
"After Lewis retired in Malaysia, Nico knew he could finish second at every Grand Prix - and even a third - and still win the title in the end," Wolff told France's Le Figaro.
"It was therefore logical that - although he always wants to win - Nico takes a little less risk and manages this favourable situation.
"So it seems to be the most likely scenario that it will be decided in the last race, which I think will make Bernie very happy," he added.
And like Lauda, Wolff said Mercedes will ensure that the title is solely decided as the result of a clean fight between Rosberg and Hamilton.
"We are in the comfortable position of already winning the constructors' championship and we cannot lose the drivers' either," he said.
"Now, in this situation myself and the team need to be as neutral as possible not to favour one driver over the other. In Mexico, we even made sure both drivers had the same marketing and press times, so that one could not even complain that he is doing more," Wolff added.
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Grand Prix of BelgiumLocal time
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
L. Norris
C. Leclerc
L. Hamilton
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
P. Gasly
K. Magnussen
M. Verstappen
440,785 comments on Mercedes
64 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Lewis Hamilton
562,295 comments on Mercedes 54 members have this team as their favourite Tweets about Mercedes
Bahrain
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Azerbaijan
Baku City Circuit
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Austria
Red Bull Ring
United Kingdom
Silverstone
Hungary
Hungaroring
Belgium
Spa-Francorchamps
Netherlands
Circuit Zandvoort
Italy
Monza
Singapore
Marina Bay Street Circuit
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
United States of America
Circuit of the Americas
Mexico
Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez
Brazil
Interlagos
United States of America
Las Vegas Street Circuit
United Arab Emirates
Yas Marina Circuit
Replies (1)
Login to replyPatentprutser
Posts: 351
That's nice of Niki. Please let al the other drivers also do whatever they want without interference of Mercedes!