Wolff on Hamilton and Russell rivalry: 'I would never allow conflict'

In an earlier interview, George Russell revealed that he sees no reason for conflict with Lewis Hamilton if the two drivers become embroiled in a title fight. Toto Wolff accepts the possibility that a rivalry could arise between his Mercedes drivers, but he would never allow a conflict.

Russell proved he has the qualities to become world champion in 2022. The young Briton beat his experienced teammate to take home Mercedes' only victory. "I would put Lewis and George on an equal footing in 2022," Wolff says in conversation with Auto, Motor und Sport.

Mercedes was not strong enough last season to compete for the title, but the team hopes to make big strides this year. That the dynamic between the two drivers is going to change seems only a matter of time. In 2022, there was no rivalry because the team was not competing for the title, but who knows, maybe that will already change next season. However, Wolff would not allow a conflict between the two drivers.

"A good dynamic between the drivers also depends on the management and how the drivers treat each other. I think we have a good starting position because both drivers respect each other. We accept that there can be rivalry between our drivers, but this rivalry should never turn into conflict that could harm the team. I would never allow that and I have never allowed that," says the Mercedes team boss.

With Valtteri Bottas as Hamilton's teammate, there was never a rivalry. Before that, however, it was different with Nico Rosberg. The German won the world title with Mercedes in 2016, but Rosberg had to go to extremes to beat Hamilton. The two drivers were good friends in their youth, but in their time at Mercedes, there was no longer any question of that.