If we’ve learnt anything from Euro 2016 it’s that a hardworking group of teammates can conquer a bunch of overpaid egos (thanks Iceland and Wales), but not every team comprises the best of buddies.
Take for example the mess that is the Mercedes F1 team, where Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg are finding it increasingly difficult to hide their absolute disdain for one another.
Things came to a head yesterday during a dramatic finish to the Austrian Grand Prix, a final lap collision seeing Hamilton pip Rosberg into first place.
Here’s how the BBC describes that incident:
World champion Hamilton was on the outside and alongside heading into Turn Two but his German team-mate held him out wide, delaying his turn-in, and they collided as Hamilton tried to turn in.
He was pushed off the track but the collision had damaged Rosberg’s front wing, which sparked along the track as Hamilton passed the German, who then lost further places to Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen.
Take a look for yourself – and pay special attention to the commentator almost saying ‘shit’ at around the 33 second mark. Gold…
And here’s what the chaps had to say after the race:
After having to endure a round of booing from the mainly German-Austrian crowd, Hamilton added on the podium: “He made a mistake into Turn One and I had an opportunity to go around the outside in Turn Two. I left a lot of room on the inside and I guess he locked up and crashed into me”…
“Absolutely gutted,” said Rosberg. “We were battling and I was struggling a little with my brakes. I went a bit deep but that is fine because I am on the inside so I can dictate. So I was surprised Lewis turned in and caused a collision. It’s unbelievable.”
Whilst Mercedes are cleaning up in both the drivers and constructors championship, such discord amongst their drivers must surely be cause for serious concern.
I say finish the season, let the two duke it out in a pay per view boxing match and the winner stays with Mercedes.
Simple.
[source:bbc]
