Mercedes chief admits he almost benched Hamilton at height of Rosberg rivalry

After nine years and six world titles with Mercedes, it's fair to assume that Sir Lewis Hamilton has won the trust of team boss Toto Wolff.

However, that wasn't necessarily the case in the early years after his move from McLaren, particularly when he was embroiled in title battles with teammate Nico Rosberg.

Since 2017, Hamilton has been partnered at the 'Silver Arrows' by Valtteri Bottas, and it's the British driver who has undoubtedly been the team's dominant force, with the Finn winning just 10 times in almost five seasons.

It's a far cry from Hamilton's partnership with Rosberg, when the pair spent three consecutive seasons going toe-to-toe with each other at the top of the F1 drivers' standings.

Their championship battles in 2014 and 2016 were particularly intense, with both going down to the final race of the season, and the somewhat tempestuous relationship between the pair became difficult for Mercedes for manage.

And now Wolff, 49, has revealed how close he came to pulling one of his two stars out of the firing line.

Speaking to the MailOnline about his relationship with Hamilton, 36, he said: "We've been together since 2013. We know each other so well, there's so much trust and respect. I was close to putting a driver on the bench when it was Lewis and Rosberg. Twice. In 2014 and 2016.

"I said I would judge over 48 hours whether one needed to sit out. I still don't know who it would have been.

"But that was long ago. It is unimaginable given the relationship I have with Lewis today that it could happen now."

Wolff is aware he may have an in-house duel to deal with next season, having signed George Russell from Williams as a replacement for Bottas.

Russell, 23, has already made it clear he has not signed to play second fiddle to Hamilton, and the likes of F1 pundit David Coulthard have speculated whether the youngster's ambitions could lead to a repeat of the ill-feeling that was apparent between the seven-time world champion and Rosberg, 36.

Wolff however, insisted that no driver would ever be bigger than the team at Mercedes, and said he and Hamilton had "moved on" from past difficulties.

For now, the pair's primary focus will be on the remaining five races of this season, with Hamilton needing to overturn a 12-point deficit to Max Verstappen to win his seventh crown with Mercedes, and a record-breaking eighth overall.

Source: Read Full Article