Bottas altered Mercedes view of intra-team rivalries

Mercedes had a difficult time managing the dynamic between Hamilton and 2016 F1 world champion Nico Rosberg, as their recent battles for the championship became increasingly vitriolic.

Multiple controversies developed between the two, concerning engine modes, strategy, on-track collisions, personnel swaps between the garages, rules of engagement, and how the team managed their rivalry away from the circuit, but the team always believed in the positive benefit of Hamilton and Rosberg pushing each other to the limit on track.

Hamilton has credited improved harmony within the team in 2017 as a major part of his championship success this season, and Wolff feels a healthier working relationship between Bottas and Hamilton proved crucial in helping Mercedes beat Ferrari to both titles this season.

“Nico put us in front of a fait accompli - there was not even a discussion - and it was difficult to find the right driver, but we gave it some time to decide and eventually we got just the right guy into the team,” Wolff told Motorsport.com.

“In the past I always believed that a very fierce rivalry between teammates would be good for the team because they would be pushing each other.

“I think the lesson I learned is that is probably not true - I think you need two teammates that perform at a high level that keep pushing each other in the car, but the rivalry shouldn’t spill over into controversy outside of the car.

“The mindset and the relationship between the two made us stronger, gave an open and honest environment, and fundamentally our very fast, difficult car we got it into a good place also because the two worked so well together.

“The dynamic between Valtteri and Lewis made us develop the car in a very efficient way and made us win the two championships, so not for one second do I regret where we are today.”