Is the Rat jumping of the Mercedes Ship (Lauda to leave Mercedes?)

From GP Today:

The simmering feud between Mercedes’ two drivers is not the only tension in the Mercedes motor home at present.



Team chairman and F1 legend Niki Lauda hailed Nico Rosberg’s Mexican Grand Prix victory as 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.”

At the same time, reports have emerged that not all is well in the relationship between Mercedes team boss Toto 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.

Lauda has also faced pressure with regards to his dual role in the sport, namely his involvement at management level with Mercedes, while being a pundit for RTL at the same time. Critics have cited a conflict of interest with regards to these two high profile positions.

Meanwhile Rosberg bounced back at 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.

Hamilton+Rosberg+Grand+Prix+of+Mexico+Dw4Bx-TOjVkx

 

I would be MUCH happier seeing Wolff leave the sport TBH. Can't stand that man.

 

Very interesting...
So Lauda said the victory of Rosberg in Mexico was deserved and the reaction of Mercedes is that Lauda is no spokesman of the team...
And Wolff does not have to say anything when one of his drivers win the race?
If Rosberg needed any more evidence that he is unfavoured than here it was!

Either Rosberg will taken the money of the next seasons getting second or he better leaves this unloved place as fast as possible. I know that many around here think that the money payed justifies everything but one also have to feel comfortable in life and I doubt he does so at Mercedes at the moment...

 

+1

Incredibly dull and has an air around him which makes me distrust him.

 

Do hope that Niki will leave...he's mostly there to spout rubbish and fuel fires.

 

On the other hand he does appear to say what he thinks; we probably can't say that of very many of the high profile people in F1.

 

Non-Executive Chairman... basically means you have no authority, no capability to do anything. All hat, no cattle.

 

Mercedes GP is a company run in an efficient way. When Ross Brawn had finished his job (setting a technical team) they got rid of him, now that Lauda has finished his (setting their political power) he´s no longer necessary, Toto Wolff can run the team alone.

 

Very true.

 

+1 clearly not afraid of the management. I admire Lauda for speaking. I do not always agree with him, but its rare. He is a very astute observer. Frankly the team is already fractured and Lauda leaving might just be the first block out of the wall.

 

I respect Lauda but I suspect he is really hard to work with.

-F

 

The only reason why they're winning is still Ross Brawn imo and it won't take them much to undo all his work.

 

It never takes much for an F1 dynasty to end. Not much at all.

 

Lauda should go. I like his honest responses to questions and situations, but his "consultant role" as I've always heard it just seems like an odd distraction. I don't see any other teams with people not in team gear and advertising some left-field brand (Novomatic).

 

I hope lauda stays. Having high profile people stay in tbe sport is always a good thing. He speaks his mind and I like that. Sick of all the pc scripted answers we get given. Let him speak his mind he always gives us news when no one else will. I hope he stays

 

IMO Lauda is no longer needed - Too many bosses at MB F1

 

Put that down to age.

People say the same about me ...

 

I don't have a problem with that.
Lauda is probably someone who doesn't accept to be imposed many things.

 

Lauda was my favorite driver in that era by far.
That said I don't know if he really brings anything special to MB F1.

 

Well, Lauda was hired just to show the 'legendary' side of Merc.

I do think the whole team are just bunch of cry babies.