Lewis Hamilton believes Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff’s threats to drop either Hamilton or his team-mate Nico Rosberg aren’t necessary and could actually damage the team.
Wolff made the comments in response to growing tension between Hamilton and Rosberg, warning them that if their differences boil over next season, the team may forced to change its line-up to combat further problems.
Hamilton however believes the warning isn’t necessary because the current line-up has delivered everything Mercedes has asked of them – back-to-back Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships.
“We are grown men and we have done the job that we are hired to do to the maximum,” the 30-year-old told Sky Italia. “We’ve not done it 95 per cent or 80 per cent, we’ve done it 100 per cent to how they’ve wanted us to do it.
“Has there been friction? Of course, you can’t have it perfect always. But have we always shone light on this team? I believe so. Have we always delivered when they’ve given us the opportunity to do so? I believe so.
“Am I surprised by it [the threat]? Not really. Is it necessary? Not really,” he added.
In fact, Hamilton has warned Wolff and Mercedes not to get wrapped up in the ‘small things’ as it could threaten their current dominance.
“We’ve had two incredibly successful years and when you complain about small things I think that is when you can easily lose your way. Of course we always want to be better and perfect, but as long as we stay together and continue to communicate I think it will be good.
“I think it is easy for people to get complacent in life and I think it is important as a team we don’t get complacent.”
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