Easier task

RELIEF: Managing two world champions won’t be a problem, says Wolff

MERCEDES boss Toto Wolff believes that Nico Rosberg’s maiden World Championship triumph will make things easier for him to manage in the garage next season.

Rosberg has had a difficult relationship with his Mercedes AMG Petronas teammate and bitter rival Lewis Hamilton since the latter joined the team in 2013, which was again highlighted in Sunday’s F1 decider in Abu Dhabi.

But Wolff is confident things will be better in the coming season as now both the drivers are world champions.

Rosberg, who finished runner-up to Hamilton in the 2014 and 2015 seasons, finally edged the latter to the title this year.

“I think it makes it (rivalry) easier to manage because Nico has achieved what he always wanted to achieve,” said Wolff.

“It was very well deserved as he was competing against (Hamilton) probably the strongest of all drivers out there.

“When we started the project with both of them in 2013, it was clear that we did not want to prefer (as lead driver) either of them and I think it has done us well.

“We have scored more than 50 race wins and three consecutive constructors championships, the reason being they have pushed each other all the way through.

“If one had a bad day, the other had a good day and that keeps increasing the level and I think that is going to continue.

“The downside is that there is going to be tough moments and bumpy rides.

“Sunday (Abu Dhabi) was maybe a little bit one of them but we feel it is all worth the pain if you see what we have achieved.

“It was worth every single grey hair.”

Hamilton needed to win the Abu Dhabi race and hope that Rosberg finished out of the top three.

While leading the race with Rosberg in second, Hamilton slowed down in an attempt to let the chasing pack catch up with his teammate.

Rosberg, however, hung on for second to clinch the title.

Wolff also praised Petronas for playing an integral role in Mercedes’ dominance of the sport.

“Since the rule changes in 2014 and (subsequently) the start of our dominance, it has been all about power and efficiency and Petronas is the lifeblood of our engines.

“All our fuel and lubrication is powered by Petronas.”

Rosberg and Mercedes will receive their driver and constructor’s championship trophies at the FIA prize giving ceremony at the Imperial Hofburg Palace in Vienna tomorrow.