Toto Wolff says driver change not in Mercedes’ plans

Team principal calls his prior comments 'worst-case vision'

Mercedes-GP team principal Toto Wolff watches the free practice session at the Hockenheimring circuit in Hockenheim, Germany, on July 19, 2014. Jens Buttner / EPA

Mercedes-GP motorsport principal Toto Wolff has made it clear that changing his driver line-up represented a worst-case scenario he is convinced will never happen.

Wolff has warned feuding drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg that if they continue to fall out of line then the team would consider getting rid of either man.

After the incident during the Belgian Grand Prix two weeks ago, when Rosberg collided with Hamilton, an uneasy truce exists.

Hamilton punctured his left-rear tyre on the second lap at Spa-Francorchamps when he was hit by the front wing of Rosberg’s car, ultimately forcing him to retire.

It resulted in Rosberg apologising and being fined a six-figure sum, albeit extending his lead in the drivers' championship to 29 points over Hamilton after finishing as runner-up at Spa.

The incident was the latest in a long line of improprieties perpetrated by both men during the course of the campaign.

It remains to be seen whether they can keep it clean in the final seven races, but Wolff has made it clear any further indiscretions could have long-term repercussions.

“We don’t want this to happen ever again, and the consequences are very easy,” Wolff told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“If we are not able to manage the two of them following the Mercedes-Benz racing spirit, then we need to admit that and take decisions and take consequences of having a different line-up probably.”

Clarifying his remarks, Wolff has since made clear neither man is at present in danger of losing his drive as he believes he and the team will find a way to manage the scenario.

“At this stage we are very happy with the line-up, our two drivers, we have always said that,” said Wolff, speaking at Monza ahead of Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix.

“We trust them, we had a very good, clear discussion with the two of them, that what happened in Spa shouldn’t happen.

“At this stage of the season it was important we re-emphasised that.

“As for my comments, they were about what would happen if we could not get on top of things, which is a very worst-case vision. But I don’t think we’ll ever get that far.”

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