Lauda not dismissing team orders at Mercedes

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A showdown in the championship fight between Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton could compel Mercedes to introduce team orders.

The German squad has given Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas absolute freedom to race this season.

But team boss Toto Wolff, speaking to La Gazetta dello Sport, says that Mercedes may "have to adjust" given that Ferrari is putting all its eggs in the Vettel basket.

Wolff impressed by Hamilton/Bottas dynamic

"Of course we are discussing how we deal with such situations in the future," non executive chairman Niki Lauda told the Osterreich newspaper.

The Austrian wants the Silver Arrows team to hit back after its defeat by the Scuderia and Vettel in Hungary.

"We were not allowed to do anything for two weeks but now our engineers are in demand," he said.

"We want to catch up with Ferrari's advantage on the slower tracks. Spa will suit us better than Hungary did."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.