LEWIS: I PRAY THERE ARE NO TEAM ORDERS

LEWIS HAMILTON has questioned his own team boss Toto Wolff as the fallout from his Austrian Grand Prix victory continues. Hamilton claimed his first win in Spielberg after an extraordinary final-lap tussle with team-mate Nico Rosberg. The German limped from first to fourth after damage sustained in their Turn Two collision which Mercedes chief Wolff labelled ‘brainless’. ‘As a team boss there’s a lot of pressure to bring in the money, keep the sponsors happy and we need one-twos,’ said Hamilton. ‘So we finish one-four and emotions are running but it (the brainless comment) might not have been the best thing to say.’ It was the second time in five races that Hamilton and Rosberg have made contact, after their first-lap crash in Barcelona. Wolff has threatened to impose team orders to avoid a repeat. Hamilton said: ‘This is racing, from day one they said we can race and it’s what I was doing. I’ve been in that position (team orders) before and it goes against all my racing values and the foundation of what racing is about. ‘But ultimately I race for this team and I do want the best for the team. I’m the threetime world champion and my job is to do what they say.’ There is now a distinct possibility that, should Hamilton and Rosberg be battling at this Sunday’s British Grand Prix, Mercedes will ask the pair to hold station. ‘I didn’t come into this to be in that situation so I will pray and hope that’s not the situation,’ said Hamilton. Wolff revealed that discussions would take place this week and a decision on team orders taken irrespective of the drivers’ views. ‘I feel like I have the right to say my opinion regardless of the boss,’ added Hamilton. ‘I don’t feel anyone is above or below anyone regardless of how you live, wealth, religion, whatever it might be.’