Lewis Hamilton teases ‘interesting’ reason for Mercedes crew-swap

Lewis Hamilton has hinted at an "interesting" reason why Mercedes chose to switch his and team-mate Nico Rosberg's engineering team ahead of the 2016 season.

Five of Hamilton's engineers, including his lead engineer, were switched to Rosberg's car, whilst five of Rosberg's headed over to Hamilton's side of the garage.

Mercedes claimed the change was made to keep a harmonious atmosphere, as they didn't want to each side of the garage feeling as though they were separate teams and therefore fighting one another.

Hamilton hinted that that wasn't actually the real reason for the change, but refused to offer an explanation, instead teasing he would reveal all in a book later in life.

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"I want to hear the reason you were given," he said to Rosberg on Thursday, before adding: "You'll have to buy my book in 10 years’ time to find out exactly what happened. It will be an interesting read."

Rosberg gave his explanation – which matched what Mercedes claimed when the switch came to light earlier in the year.

"If you look at recent team spirit in team we have been fighting for three years," he said. "We are fighting for race wins and championships, it is quite natural that a little separation can happen between two sides of the garage.

"So from an overall team performance that is not a good thing. For the overall team performance you want great team spirit, everybody fighting for one direction and working together.

"And that is why the decision was taken to rotate a little bit and it has shown this year that is a very, very good thing to do."