Mercedes director Toto Wolff has suggested that they could change its driver lineup if the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg does not improve, despite the team's success.
The team won a second consecutive Formula 1 constructors' championship in October, while Hamilton and Rosberg finished first and second in the drivers' rankings respectively, but there is reported tension between the two rivals.
Wolff - who also owns a stake in Mercedes's rivals Williams - has suggested that the pair's relationship is damaging to the team, and that a change to the lineup will be made if the situation does not get better.
"We struggle sometimes in winning races on Sunday and having always one [driver] upset," Wolff told Motorsport.com. "And this spills over into the team. It is something that needs to stop.
"We took the decision of having two evenly-matched drivers in order to make the team progress faster and better. It was a very conscious decision three years ago. Going forward, we will consider if it is the best set-up for the team. Personality and character within the team is a crucial ingredient for the team's success.
"If we feel that it is not aligned with the general consensus, spirit and philosophy within the team, we might consider that when we take a decision, in terms of the driver lineup going forward."
Rosberg has previously complained about his teammate's driving style, following Hamilton's victory at the United States Grand Prix in October.
Stephen Topping
