Wolff: “maybe we have to change the drivers”

Whilst his team heads towards it first constructors’ title, Wolff admits that there is concern the relationship between his two drivers could flare up again at any time, leaving the Brackley outfit with a difficult decision.

“We would have to take decisions and take the consequences of having a different line-up,” he admitted to BBC Sport. “If we are not able to manage the two of them following the Mercedes-Benz spirit then we need to admit that.”

Whilst Rosberg recently agreed a new “multi-year contract”, teammate Hamilton is still in the midst of negotiations, though he admits he is keen to stay.

Asked about the punishment meted out to Rosberg, Wolff was giving nothing away: “When you are managing a team it is very important to keep it balanced,” said Wolff. “I would very much like the penalties we have been implementing to stay within the team because it is just not fair on the driver to discuss that in public. We have made it very clear this is an unacceptable scenario for us, for both of them. We don’t want this to happen ever again.”