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Hamilton and Rosberg have contracts for next year – the world champion’s expires at the end of 2018, while the German’s has possibly just one season left – but it is a clear warning to that both their places beyond then may be under threat.
“We struggle sometimes in winning races on Sunday and having always one [driver] upset and this spills over into the team. It is something that needs to stop,” Wolff told Motorsport.com.
Nico Rosberg en route to winning in Abu Dhabi
“We took the decision of having two evenly matched drivers in order to make the team progress faster and better. Going forward, we will consider if it is the best set-up for the team. Personality and character within the team is a crucial ingredient for the team success.
“If we feel that it is not aligned with the general consensus, spirit and philosophy within the team, we might consider that when we take a decision, in terms of the driver line-up going forward. It is important to have talented and fast drivers in the car. But we want to work with nice guys.”
Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton have fallen out several times
Hamilton will start a new three-year, £100 million deal next season, which theoretically keeps him at the team until the end of 2018. Being the world champion, and with the longer contract, Hamilton is in a stronger position than Rosberg. But some have viewed Wolff’s comments as a rebuke to Hamilton after complaining about the team’s strategy after the last three races of the season. Rosberg’s deal runs out at the end of 2016, with options to extend beyond that.
They were childhood friends in karting, but since fighting for the championship their relationship has soured considerably. The two admit they are no longer friends and barely speak. Asked on the podium in Abu Dhabi if they would share dinner, Rosberg joked: “Let’s skip that.”
It has begun to affect how the team interacts with both its drivers, according to Wolff. “The biggest weakness is the dynamic of the relationship between the drivers – and sometimes between the drivers and the team,” the Austrian said.
If relations deteriorate further next season, then managing it may become intolerable. Mercedes have an eye on 18-year-old Max Verstappen, who made himself the most sought after driver in the paddock with an astonishing debut year.
Verstappen is also a target for Ferrari, with Kimi Raikkonen likely facing his last season, which could result in a fierce bidding war between the Italian team and Mercedes for the precocious teenager.