Christian Horner and Toto Wolff compare their ways of managing two drivers fighting for the title

During Mercedes’ 8 consecutive titles, Toto Wolff had to manage a car that was sometimes more dominant than its competitors. The fight for the championship then played out between his two drivers, and only his two drivers. This was particularly the case in 2016, where the battle was fierce between Rosberg and Hamilton.

A look back at 2016 and the Hamilton-Rosberg rivalry

A battle between teammates is never synonymous with rest for team managers. For Toto Wolff, Team Principal of Mercedes, managing can be complicated because both drivers will obviously always try to feel that they are being treated fairly and equally while trying to gain an advantage. He said in a press conference. But for the Austrian, the weight of the team remains important in the struggle between two teammates. “I think that in our team, it was important to maintain a lot of transparency and clarity, to discuss things before going racing on Sundays. Setting boundaries.”

And in the end, both drivers, even Nico and Lewis, respected the team’s opinion, while acknowledging that they are fighting against each other. Looking back in time, there are things that I probably would have done differently in 2016, especially, but the balance is fair between accepting that these two guys are competing for a championship, and that they are in the same garage. And at the same time, they are part of a larger structure. I think it’s not always easy, because they are very competitive animals.

A luxury problem for Christian Horner

Christian Horner, on his part, has also found himself in this situation in the past and finds himself in this situation again this season, as Perez and Verstappen are only 6 points apart after 4 races in 2023.

« We do everything Toto says, but a little better. No, listen, I think it’s a luxury problem, first of all. I think any team manager in the pit lane would want to have this problem. And it’s something we’ve already experienced, explains the Red Bull Racing director.

« And I think the most important thing, as Toto mentioned, is to ensure that paranoia doesn’t set in and that both drivers are treated equally. You go to great lengths to ensure equality, even to the point of alternating who comes out of the garage first each weekend, you know, it’s alternating. There is even an alternation in the debriefing to determine who speaks first. » Horner said in a press conference.

However, for the director of Red Bull, it’s a matter of racing, which doesn’t always depend on predictable factors. He also emphasizes the importance of reliability in the fight for the championship.

« But you know, it’s racing, it’s Formula 1, and sometimes something happens, like a safety car or a pit stop, and you can’t control all aspects of this sport. There are always variables » he points out. « And I think as long as the drivers know they both have equal chances and everything depends on what they do on the track, that’s where you want it to happen, and not have reliability, for example, play a key role in the championship fight between your two drivers within your own team. »