Warning Against Potential Dangerous Precedent by Wolff as No Killers Similar to Hamilton and Rosbergsurface in McLaren Team

In the world of Formula 1, team orders and rivalries are not unfamiliar concepts. The 2016 season, in particular, saw a bitter title duel between Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, a rivalry that Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff describes as "two bitter rivals" who were difficult to manage within the team.

Fast forward to the present, and a similar situation is unfolding at McLaren. Team principal Andrea Stella has expressed criticism and stated that the team will review the team order decision after the Italian Grand Prix. The decision, which asked championship leader Oscar Piastri to let Lando Norris pass, is still a topic of discussion in Formula 1.

However, Wolff does not see the same level of conflict between McLaren's drivers, Norris and Piastri. He finds unusually harsh words for McLaren's rookie driver, Kimi Antonelli, after the Italian Grand Prix, but stops short of comparing the McLaren duo to his former Mercedes teammates.

The collision between McLaren's drivers in Canada had less impact on their relationship compared to the conflict between Hamilton and Rosberg. In the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, a conflict between the Mercedes drivers resulted in both retiring from the race, losing 43 potential points for Mercedes.

Wolff suggests that if the constructors' championship is won earlier, it might be better to let the drivers race freely in the spirit of sport. He questions what the implications could be if McLaren makes a mistake that has nothing to do with a pit stop. If a car doesn't start at the beginning, or there's a suspension or brake failure, he wonders what McLaren will do in such situations.

Wolff considers this a "luxury problem" in Formula 1, as Mercedes currently sits in third place in the constructors' championship. He is curious to see how the situation at McLaren develops and expects to get an answer at the end of the season.

Wolff also points out that the precedent set by McLaren could lead to a chain reaction of events or precedents that are difficult to manage. He believes that McLaren's decision to swap the drivers' positions sets a dangerous precedent.

Despite the ongoing discussions, Wolff does not believe that McLaren's drivers are similar to Hamilton and Rosberg in terms of their level of conflict. He finds the current situation at McLaren an interesting development to watch unfold in the world of Formula 1.

Warning Against Potential Dangerous Precedent by Wolff as No Killers Similar to Hamilton and Rosbergsurface in McLaren Team