Source: Mercedes-Benz Archive

F1 News

Mercedes open to using team orders in US Grand Prix

Mercedes open to using team orders in US Grand Prix

21-10-2018 17:05
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Jake Williams-Smith

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has admitted that Mercedes could opt to use team orders during the United States Grand Prix, citing that the priority for the team is to secure both championships as soon as possible.

Although it is impossible for the Silver Arrows to lock up the constructor's championship this weekend, the driver's title race could come to an end if Lewis Hamilton outscores his title rival Sebastian Vettel by eight points.

Having controversially employed team orders during the Russian Grand Prix to deny Valtteri Bottas an almost certain win, Wolff claimed: "I’d rather be the baddie today and not the idiot at the end of the year."

It seems that team orders could come into play once again during the race in Austin, with Wolff indicating that the bigger picture was very much in the minds of those at Mercedes.

“The objective for Valtteri is to really go for it at the beginning," Wolf told media ahead of the race. "He doesn’t have a lot to lose, and show a strong race, but if at the end we find ourselves in a situation where we, again, need to evaluate the points, we’ll do that. I don’t want to commit to say now whether or what we’ll be doing.”

The Austrian also played down expectations that Hamilton would wrap the driver's championship up this weekend, adding that the fight isn't over until the end.

“For a few days you guys have been talking us up, this is almost done, he has a hand on the trophy. You either have the trophy in your hands, or you don’t. And we don’t.

“I know from the points point of view we’re looking solid but everything can happen in this sport. Ferrari has come back strong, it’s what we expected, and that’s why I’d like to keep all options open.”