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'Still a future for Rosberg and Hamilton at Mercedes', says Patrick Head

Williams co-founder and former engineering director, Sir Patrick Head, believes that the future of Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes remains intact after last Sunday's race-terminating incident in Barcelona.

Head, who in the past witnessed on multiple occasions contentious or difficult relationships between star drivers at Williams, believes that the pairing, despite its intense rivalry, can remain in the same team.

"On the track they've had a clash but I don't see it as a reason why they can't drive in the same team going forward," Patrick Head told Sky Sports.

"It would seem an overreaction for that to happen, but I think that going forward it really depends what happens. If Lewis goes out and wins the next four races in a row and closes the gap, then Lewis will be happy and everything will be fine.

"Nico will have to be focusing on going out afterwards and winning. But that's one of the good things about Formula 1, every race has equal points, equal importance unlike sportscar racing where Le Mans dominates above all the others in terms of prestige to win.

"They've got 16 or 17 races ahead of them, so they'll be looking forward at that rather than looking back.

"Yes, it will be an annoyance and they've got to work out how they deal with it and avoid it in the future. I don't it as a reason why they can't be in the same team together."

Looking back at the big, and often acrimonious, battles of the 80s and 90s at Williams between Alan Jones and Carlos Reutemann, or Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet, the chances of two star drivers and team mates falling out are always high given the stakes and respective egos.

"The only time I've come across good friends within the team is when one is clearly head and shoulders above the other, and the other accepts that the other one is better. But I don't think any team wants that," Head concluded.

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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.