Mercedes won't interfere in Hamilton and Rosberg's title fight, but expect "sportsmanlike" driving; The season-ending Duel in the Desert starts at 1pm live on Sky Sports F1
Monday 28 November 2016 11:25, UK
Mercedes expect "sportsmanlike" driving from Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton in Sunday's 'Duel in the Desert' with the world title on the line in Abu Dhabi.
After numerous twists and turns over eight months of racing in 2016 in which Mercedes' drivers have shared all but two of the 20 race wins, Rosberg and Hamilton's latest title fight comes down to a final-race showdown with the German driver holding a 12-point advantage in his bid to become world champion for the first time.
What time does the race start on Sky F1?
With F1's ultimate prize up for grabs, the Mercedes drivers are free to race as normal but Toto Wolff insists the team still expect high standards of on-track conduct from Rosberg and Hamilton.
"We can't really interfere into that final race," said Wolff, Mercedes' motorsport boss. "We have let them race until now, they both know they must be sportsmanlike.
"There is a lot at stake, it's the Drivers' World Championship to be won or lost.
"For us, as long as they are not over stepping the mark what we see as being sportsmanlike driving, we're fine. We need to let them go."
Abu Dhabi GP Qualifying Conclusions
Hamilton starts on pole but even a victory will not be good enough for him to retain his world crown if Rosberg, who qualified alongside him on the front row, finishes second or third.
With Hamilton therefore requiring his team-mate to finish off the podium, one theory doing the rounds leading up to the race has been that the Briton could attempt to 'back up' Rosberg into the cars behind in order to increase the chances of the German being overtaken.
Hamilton himself has ruled out such a plan and Wolff has made clear Mercedes, who have strict rules of engagement for their drivers, expect the pair to know the boundaries of right and wrong.
Hamilton hopes Red Bull gamble pays off
"We don't want to change the rules because it would be wrong that for the title decider we would turn everything upside down we have developed in the last couple of years," he added.
"The drivers are great sportsmen and they know what it would mean overstepping the line, it would cause a lot of controversy. Therefore I have trust this is going to go well for the benefit for the team, the team spirit, the effort that has been given, and the fans."
Despite the certainly that Mercedes will add a third consecutive Drivers' Championship to their latest Constructors' Championship triumph whatever Sunday's outcome, Wolff admits the weekend is not without its challenges as the team try to ensure their drivers each have the best chance of success.
"It's a difficult situation for all of us in a team," he said.
"You might say we are in a very privileged position that whoever wins this week is going to be a Mercedes driver. But the truth is we have kept neutral over the last three years and Sunday is going to be particularly difficult, and has been already this weekend.
"[The aim has been] to give them support when they need it, not interfere too much, not over-manage, but just let them fight it out on track. Give them a car that has the pace, which we have seen and were able to achieve, a reliable car and a strategy that works for both. That's another tricky area with the Red Bulls clearly on an off-set strategy and Ferrari having pace.
"So the main objective is to interfere the least in the Drivers' World Championship and really let the drivers fight it out on track."
Don't miss the #DuelintheDesert live on Sky Sports as the F1 title race goes to the wire. See the Abu Dhabi GP on Sky Sports F1 on Sunday from 11:30am. Don't have Sky? Watch the race with a NOW TV day pass - £6.99, no contract
