Wolff and Lauda have falling out, Lauda to quit and move to Ferrari? (4th Update)
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| Best friends – you can see it in their happy faces |
Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda on Saturday defied talk of a personal rift by walking through the Abu Dhabi paddock holding hands.
It was an odd sight as the pair, and representatives of the sport's other engine manufacturers, left a meeting held to discuss the future of the rules.
'Sources' and unnamed 'friends' had hinted at a looming relationship breakdown between Mercedes' Austrian duo and team co-owners, so the latest theory is that Red Bull's Christian Horner or Bernie Ecclestone had put the rumor out, amid political rancor.
11/28/15
(GMM) Niki Lauda is on the brink of quitting Mercedes, reportedly over a dispute with fellow team chief Toto Wolff about Red Bull.
That is the claim of multiple British newspapers, including the Telegraph and the Daily Mail, from the scene of this weekend's Abu Dhabi grand prix.
"Relationships are said to be so bad that Lauda has been telling close friends that he could quit at any time", the London newspaper The Times said.
That report said Wolff is at odds over an issue involving Red Bull, after Mercedes team chairman and F1 legend Lauda reportedly shook hands with Dietrich Mateschitz on an engine deal that Wolff later vetoed.
The Times said Wolff is also unpopular at present with Bernie Ecclestone and Jean Todt, with the quadruple world champions Red Bull facing being left without an engine unless Renault decides to stay in the sport.
Asked in Abu Dhabi what is holding up Red Bull's engine deal announcement for 2016, boss Christian Horner answered: "Well, we have an agreement in place for next year, so it's great news that we will be on the grid next year.
"But unfortunately due to circumstance beyond our control we can't announce exactly what that is. Perhaps Toto can tell you."
11/07/15
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| Niki Lauda covering up the fight? |
(GMM) Niki Lauda has dismissed reports he is at loggerheads with fellow Mercedes chief Toto Wolff.
"Sources have told The Times that Lauda is considering quitting the team, possibly as soon as the end of the season," the London-based newspaper reported shortly after the Mexican grand prix.
But Lauda, the triple world champion who is the Mercedes team chairman, told Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper: "There is no discussion.
"I have a contract until 2017 and I want to meet it," the 66-year-old Austrian, who acts as an intermediary between the Brackley based team and the German carmaker's board in Stuttgart, added.
As for the Times' report of tension between himself and team boss and fellow Austrian Wolff, Lauda insisted: "I don't know who puts these stories in the world.
"After the race in Mexico, I said to Sebastian Vettel 'Things went not so well for you today!' And he replied 'Well everything with you guys is haywire!
"But the truth is that Toto and I are working together in harmony — it's all wonderful."
Lauda said that in addition to continuing his role at Mercedes, he also wants to remain a presenter for German television RTL, despite the looming expiration of his contract.
"I want to stay, so if they want the same then we will go on," he said.
11/03/15
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| Lauda says to Arrivabene, you have a job for me? I bring all of Mercedes' secrets, yes? |
During the 2015 United States GP, Niki Lauda revealed his role with the German TV Formula One broadcaster, RTL, may end this season. RTL made it known earlier this year they were considering dropping F1 from their programming, due to falling viewer numbers and the high price demanded by Ecclestone. A new contract beyond 2015 was eventually agreed, though inside rumors suggest the price for the FOM broadcasting fee was slashed.
There has been some disquiet amongst German F1 fans about how Niki Lauda's has handled the multiple roles of 'independent' TV pundit, Chairman of Mercedes AMG F1 and President of the Lewis Hamilton fan club.
In recent weeks there has been rumblings within the Mercedes team about Lauda's pejorative comments about Hamilton and Rosberg and the less than objective manner in which Niki has been conducting himself, given he is the Chairman of the board. So Lauda's comments in Austin came as no surprise, given the Mercedes hierarchy in Stuttgart apparently wants the public Niki – reigning in.
Following the race in Austin, Niki Lauda gave his usual round of media interviews while Toto Wolff post-race duties were cancelled and he was rushed from the circuit. A Mercedes PR spokesperson made it clear to reporters that Lauda is not an official team spokesperson, unlike Wolff.
There have been other suggestions that Niki Lauda could rejoin the Scuderia in some kind of ambassadorial role. He is still revered in Maranello for his contribution alongside a young Luca de Montezemolo in turning around a failing Ferrari F1 team in the mid 1970's. The judge13
11/03/15
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| It seems Wolff and Lauda may have had a falling out over team decisions, with rumors Lauda may quit the team |
(GMM) The simmering feud between Mercedes' two drivers is not the only tension in the Mercedes motor home at present.
As Nico Rosberg hit back at Lewis Hamilton with victory in Mexico, the enmity between the pair was clear to see as they reluctantly shook hands.
"I'm not going to comment on that. I'll let you judge," the German said.
Many put the renewed tension down to the fact that, with his new title crown only just fitted, Hamilton simply did not enjoy being beaten.
"Rosberg has what it takes to take on Hamilton," Italy's Corriere dello Sport surmised after Mexico. And Spain's Diario Sport added: "Rosberg ended the tyranny of Hamilton."
Also clear is that Hamilton was not happy to have been ordered into the pits whilst arguing that his tires were still good.
And it was not only the Briton who suspected it cost him victory, as Spain's El Mundo said it looked like "a gift from Mercedes" to Rosberg.
"Mercedes did not let Hamilton choose the strategy, therefore protecting Rosberg," the sports daily Marca added.
Speaking to British reporters on Monday, Hamilton agreed: "The team has felt the need to be extra warm (to Rosberg).
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| Hamilton claims Wolff and Lauda have to pander to Rosberg |
"I know what I mean, but I'm not going to say. You should ask Toto (Wolff) and Niki (Lauda) how they feel about it. About what they have to do behind the scenes to keep him happy," the triple world champion added.
Team chairman and F1 legend Lauda, however, insists Rosberg's victory was well deserved.
"I congratulate him that he has fought back from where he was before. In all respects, he was better than Lewis in Mexico," he said.
At the same time, rumors have emerged that not all is well in the relationship between team boss Wolff and Lauda.
After Mexico, as Lauda conducted interviews with the media, Wolff reportedly called off his post-race press duties and rushed out of the circuit.
A Mercedes PR chief hinted at the discord by insisting that Lauda is not an official team spokesman.
"Sources have told The Times that Lauda is considering quitting the team, possibly as soon as the end of the season," the London-based newspaper said.