Polite exterior of Mercedes team hides stormy waters

Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg have apparently sorted out their differences, Rosberg finally admitting that he was responsible for the collision that took out Hamilton at the Belgian Grand Prix and receiving a six-figure fine from the team for causing the incident. 

Team orders have apparently been clarified and it is confirmed both drivers will be allowed to race for the title – within limits. So it’s all sorted out; no more animosity between them and a clean competition from now on.

The scene then shifts to Monza for the Italian Grand Prix and Rosberg has to settle for second on the grid after Hamilton takes pole, his fifth of the season. 

At the start, Hamilton loses position and has to fight back and, after forcing team-mate Rosberg into an error, takes the lead and the victory.

Everything is looking good until the podium tenants arrive in parc ferme and it starts to become a PR nightmare. 

Rosberg arrives first, vacates his seat and disappears to the weighing area – so no hugs for the next to arrive, Lewis Hamilton.

The real eye-opener has to be the small room where the victorious drivers refresh themselves before climbing on to the podium. 

To say this is a little subdued is an understatement. Hamilton stands with his back to the camera, with Rosberg in the opposite corner, until, on Felipe Massa’s arrival, both Mercedes drivers congratulate him. 

Following the niceties, Rosberg chats to Massa while Hamilton continues his freshening up. Sadly, the conversation is in Italian, a language the Englishman does not understand. 

But perhaps for the good of the sport it would be wise to eliminate live footage from the back room until the obvious rift is healed.

The F1 Strategy Group met at Monza last weekend to discuss many aspects of the sport, but one specific item on the agenda was the possible lifting of the engine freeze. 

This is an area I really believe needs to be reviewed. The introduction of a completely new power unit has resulted in several issues for Renault and Ferrari, resulting in domination for Mercedes. Unfortunately, the current ruling does not allow further development by any of the power-unit suppliers.

Pushing the boundaries of technology has always been an important aspect of F1 and limiting that surely restricts progress dramatically. 

It was good to see that the call for the “unfreezing” is even being considered by the Mercedes team; if this ruling is accepted it would be interesting to see whether anyone can catch and surpass the Mercedes. 

One company that may do just that is Honda, who are set to return with McLaren in 2015. 

I can’t wait…