Hamilton let off the hook by Mercedes

According to Niki Lauda, Lewis Hamilton will receive no punishment from Mercedes for ignoring team orders in last Sunday's title-deciding Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

In an attempt to wrestle the championship title from his team mate in the closing stages of the race, Hamilton resorted to a 'back-up' ploy. To no avail for the Brit who won the race but conceded the championship to Nico Rosberg.

Hamilton's hand may have been strengthened by Rosberg's decision to retire, with Mercedes unwilling to hit its star driver with a punishment at a time of potential instability for the German outfit.

"There is no need to say anything to Lewis," Niki Lauda told The Mail on Sunday. "We have no problem about how he raced in Abu Dhabi. We have drawn a line under it."

Lauda also said that Rosberg's shock announcement had left the manufacturer out in the cold, with no contingency plans available.

"I have no idea what we will do because we were certainly surprised by Nico’s decision. We were not prepared for this at all.

"He's a huge loss because we had the quickest driver set-up over the last three years. Nico and Lewis were pushing each other, and now we have to find a better man than Nico because we want to continue to win.

"This is a big problem now for us as a team to find the appropriate replacement. We have to think about it and contact everyone and do proper research on who we're going to put in the best car of Formula One."

Lauda insisted that while time appeared to be on Mercedes side, the team would be seeking to have its driver line-up finalized before the end of the year.

"We certainly need a driver for the first test of the new car in February but I can assure you it will happen earlier because whoever it is we have to train them on the simulator, train him into the team.

"I think we should have a decision before the end of the year. We'll give an unexpected Christmas present to one of the drivers."

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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.