Lauda to keep lid on driver 'feud'

Mercedes Formula One driver Nico Rosberg of Germany (R) stands next to teammate Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain after Rosberg took pole position in the qualifying session of the Monaco F1 Grand Prix in Monaco May 24, 2014. Rosberg took a controversial pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix on Saturday after an incident that denied unhappy Mercedes team mate and championship leader Hamilton the chance to beat him. REUTERS/Max Rossi (MONACO - Tags: SPORT MOTORSPORT F1)

Mercedes Formula One driver Nico Rosberg of Germany (R) stands next to teammate Mercedes Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain after Rosberg took pole position in the qualifying session of the Monaco F1 Grand Prix in Monaco May 24, 2014. Rosberg took a controversial pole position at the Monaco Grand Prix on Saturday after an incident that denied unhappy Mercedes team mate and championship leader Hamilton the chance to beat him. REUTERS/Max Rossi (MONACO - Tags: SPORT MOTORSPORT F1)

Published Jun 4, 2014

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London, England - Niki Lauda says Lewis Hamilton has now accepted his Monaco Grand Prix defeat by Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, but has warned the situation remains ‘tricky’.

Bad blood between the pair was stirred up on the streets of the principality, with neither man acknowledging the other on the podium following a race won by Rosberg, with Hamilton second.

That followed an incident in qualifying where an apparent mistake by Rosberg led to yellow flags that thwarted Hamilton’s bid to claim pole position.

Hamilton then tweeted on Friday he and Rosberg had spoken, claiming they were now “cool” and “still friends”.

Mercedes non-executive chairman Lauda maintains the matter has been laid to rest, but knows it could easily flare up again given the head-to-head battle between the duo for this year’s Formula One world title.

“Lewis has now accepted Nico won in Monaco and he was second, which is really no shame.”

The three-times champion said: “We will get together again in Montreal for this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix and discuss everything. After that the fight will go on for the world championship, with both in equal cars.

“But with two alphas currently sitting in the best car it is tricky, although given our superiority that in turn makes the races interesting.

“But we will let our drivers race against each other without restriction because whilst tension is quite normal, it can also escalate. Then I get involved as a mentor.”

Lauda is expecting Hamilton to strike back in Montreal, adding: “Nico was faster in Monte Carlo, but now Lewis will do everything he can to fight back. It is a strain on our nerves, but for the fans and the sport there is nothing better.”

Daily Mail

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