Lewis Hamilton thinks there is little incentive for him to help Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg in his battle against Sebastian Vettel to secure the 2015 championship runner-up spot.
With three races left including this weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, Rosberg sits third in the Drivers’ standings, four points behind the Ferrari ace. Given that Mercedes has already wrapped up the Constructors’ title, newly crowned triple world champion Hamilton admits he is unlikely to play second fiddle.
“The team have not asked me to support him in that role,” the Briton said. “I'm here to win the race, the team have won the Constructors' so from here on, it's not a huge benefit for the team for me to start helping, but we'll see what [Head of Mercedes motorsport] Toto [Wolff] wants me to do.”
Last Sunday’s USGP put further strain on the already complex relationship between Hamilton and Rosberg, with Wolff describing the pair as “enemies in the same team” in the wake of their Turn 1 clash at the start.
The Mercedes motorsport boss called for a chat with both drivers in order to clear the air but the Briton said he did not believe talks were required. Speaking during Thursday’s traditional FIA presser, Hamilton reiterated his position.
“[Nico and I] haven't spoken, not that I think we really need to.
“The reason for me is that I'm very easy-going so I never really have any problems. I think Toto feels that he needs to perhaps sit with Nico to see where his head is at. Obviously we don't want any tension in the team.
“Generally we do often come together and keep it transparent. I don't really have anything to say about it but I'm sure we will sit down and see what Nico's feeling and whatever emotions he has and try and dilute them and then move on.”
Hamilton’s previous titles fights had all gone down to the wire. Now that he has sealed this year’s crown with three rounds to spare, the 30-year-old was asked whether he intended to relax or take more risks, to which he replied:
“I generally have a really balanced approach, balanced between risk and not too much risk, so I don't think I really need to change it as it's done me well this year with 10 wins.
“So I'll just keep it the same. There's not pressure, but I can enjoy the experience, so that's what I'm going to try to do.”
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