"There is no psychological warfare like we have seen in the past," says Toto Wolff, although team boss admits "I'm always sceptical"
Monday 24 October 2016 13:41, UK
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has admitted he remains wary of a late-season "volcano" erupting in Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton's battle for the world title.
The Mercedes team-mates' third exclusive duel for the title looks likely to go down to the wire, with Hamilton cutting Rosberg's advantage to 26 points with three races to go after a comfortable win in Sunday's US GP.
Although Mercedes' management have this year had to contend with two of the biggest flashpoints of the four-year Hamilton-Rosberg partnership, when the drivers took each other out in Spain and then collided on the final lap in Austria, Wolff says the situation is currently relatively harmonious.
Hamilton reveals US GP worries
However, with the stakes only set to get higher with the world title on the line in the season's final three races, the Mercedes motorsport boss is not taking anything for granted.
"It's interesting because we are not having any games anymore," Wolff told Sky Sports F1 after seeing Hamilton and Rosberg secure the team's fifth one-two of 2016.
"There is no psychological warfare like we have seen in the past years. They are both in a good mood, but I'm always sceptical.
"I kind of wait if this is a volcano to erupt or not, so let's wait and see."
Hamilton's 50: Where does Lewis rank?
Hamilton came into the Austin weekend with his form and mindset under scrutiny by the media following a Japanese GP weekend overshadowed by the fallout from 'SnapchatGate'.
Wolff confirmed on Friday he had held a "couple of conversations" with the world champion after Suzuka and, speaking after Hamilton's return to winning ways in America, he said it was easy to "underestimate the pressure these guys are under".
"It's coming towards the end of the season, both of them have everything to win and everything to lose, and I think there will be things you say that next day you regret," added Wolff.
Don't miss The F1 Report's review of the United States GP on Sky Sports F1 at 8.30pm on Wednesday evening with Natalie Pinkham, Marc Priestley and Dave Richards.
