Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has conceded that Lewis Hamilton is probably the best driver in the world at the moment, ahead of his team mate Nico Rosberg.
However Wolff also said not to discount Rosberg from this year's title fight, and that the German driver still had what it took to get on an even footing with Hamilton in the race for the 2016 world championship.
"We are half way through the 2016 season and only nineteen points separate both. That’s less than one race win - and Nico is superb in qualifying,' Wolff pointed out in conversation with the Formula 1 official website.
"He is mentally very strong and nothing is done yet," Wolff insisted. "Right now Nico is paired with Lewis who is probably the best driver in F1 at the moment - and yes, that is a tough challenge. That is a benchmark - and he accepts that."
Rosberg started the season with four straight wins and at one point was 43 points ahead in the standings, but has now slipped 19 points behind going into the summer break. Wolff preferred to see that as evidence of Hamilton's current strong surge in form rather than Rosberg buckling under the pressure.
"[Lewis] had a very good streak, an impressive record. A little bit like Nico towards the end of the season and the beginning and he has recovered all the points he lost.
"Now it’s about maintaining, if there is something like momentum, it’s for him to keep that momentum. But we’ve seen that coming in waves in both directions. I’m interested to see how it’s going to pan out when we come back after the summer break."
Wolff added that he had no qualms about Hamilton's celebrity lifestyle, which includes using the summer break to jet around the world during his down time.
"As long as he functions as a race driver on the weekend and delivers results, we don’t interfere in the private life of the drivers. Everybody is allowed to have friends in the social environment he chooses.
"This goes for both the drivers - and each member of the team. And so far over the last three years our results show that this has worked out well.
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