Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff believes that the synchronization of the contracts of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg may culminate with a dramatic face-off 2018 season.
Despite their high-strung rivalry as team mates, both drivers renewed their allegiance to the German manufacturer for two more years, 2017 and 2018, with Rosberg signing his new deal on the eve of the Hungarian Grand Prix.
With Mercedes grooming several young drivers for the future, it's uncertain if Hamilton and Rosberg will remained paired for 2019 or if the manufacturer will keep one and offer its second seat to one of its hopefuls.
Asked by Sky Sports last weekend whether phasing together its drivers' contracts was the best idea, Wolff admitted having his doubt at first.
"That was my first thought - it's better that they're not in sync," Wolff said.
"But then I found out that maybe it's an interesting option, maybe they'll have more momentum in the last year."
"It's an interesting time because there's a new generation coming up which is difficult to judge. Ocon, Wehrlein, Vandoorne - all these guys and then there are some contracts running out: Vettel, Ricciardo. It leaves a lot of options."
Should they remain together at Mercedes until their contract expires at the end of 2018, Hamilton and Rosberg would become the most durable, and perhaps the most prolific, team mate pairing in the history of F1.
"If it continues in our team as it is now I see no reason to change," concluded Wolff, "but it's better to have options than not."
DRIVER RATINGS: Hungarian Grand Prix
REPORT: Hamilton holds off Rosberg to take championship lead
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