Looking back at Mercedes' post-race celebration of Nico Rosberg's victory in Mexico, David Coulthard is questioning the genuineness of the team's attitude.
As an acute observer in the paddock, the former F1 driver and BBC consultant found the Mercedes' camp's cheering and acclaim of Rosberg somewhat odd given that he had never witnessed such a demonstrable outpour in favour of Lewis Hamilton.
Hamilton's comments on Sunday after the race, when he hinted that Mercedes wanted to keep Rosberg 'happy', and therefore may have facilitated his win in the Mexican GP, have also left the Scot perplexed.
Writing in his BBC column, Coulthard made some interesting observations: "When Suzi Perry and I were in the garage interviewing Rosberg, some of the team were around him cheering: "NICO, NICO, NICO." I'd never seen those songs of praise with Hamilton, despite an obvious joy at being part of a winning team."
"At the time, I thought it was Rosberg's car crew giving him the support they feel for him. But I wonder now, in the context of Hamilton's remarks, whether the team had been briefed to celebrate extensively if Rosberg won."
"I doubt Hamilton would say what he did if it was not based on some fact. He is not a scaremonger. He either acts on briefing or on knowledge. He is not a fantasist, in the way some famous drivers seem to have been."
Coulthard refused to take anything away from Rosberg's merits however, praising the German's determined approach and its effects.
"It's clear that Rosberg arrived in Mexico on a mission. There was a directness in his statements to his engineer, and a hunger in his driving, which showed an absolute desire and intent that I have not always seen. The end result was he delivered."
"But - and we have said this many times before - the bottom line is that he needs to do that more often."
Mexican Grand Prix - Driver ratings
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