Tensions between team-mates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg boiled over in Monaco at the weekend, but Mercedes team boss Niki Lauda has claimed that he will deal with any problems between the two drivers.
Lewis Hamilton was unhappy at team mate Nico Rosberg in Monaco, with the Englishman reportedly unhappy with an incident in qualifying where the Finn braked too late and forced Hamilton to slow down. The Drivers’ Championship leader felt that Rosberg made the move deliberately to cost him pole position on Sunday and tensions between the two apparently came to a head in the team area.
Mercedes boss Niki Lauda has, however, spoken out over the incident and says that he will speak to both men and smooth over any problems.
“They were arguing about whether Nico did it deliberately but the stewards cleared him, which is for me the most important thing, and Nico said: ‘No, I’m sorry, I braked too late’, for which I have respect.
“And we had a race incident before in Barcelona [the previous race] where Lewis did something and then we said ‘Hey, this is not correct’. And he said he was sorry.
“They’re not children. They’re grown-up professionals who have their difficulties, but I will help them to overcome them in a nice way and they will understand.”
Lauda believes that such tension is normal in a competitive sport but admits that it is his job to ensure that it doesn’t “get out of hand”
“All I have to do is make sure it doesn’t get out of hand,” Lauda said.
“I will tell you they will continue in a highly professional way, hard fighting each other. There is nothing more you can expect.”
He added: “The tension is building up, no question, but the team has to make sure the tension does not get out of hand and I know with my experience with other drivers in the past when it does get out of hand.”
