Hamilton says he and Rosberg have always delivered for Mercedes
Thursday 24 December 2015 10:41, UK
Lewis Hamilton says Toto Wolff's warning that Mercedes would consider changing their driver line-up was unnecessary and is confident neither his nor Nico Rosberg's positions are under threat.
Mercedes boss Wolff has twice publicly stated he would be forced to act if growing tensions between Hamilton and Rosberg began to impact upon results.
But Hamilton says the warning was not required.
"Am I surprised by it? Not really. Is it necessary? Not really," the world champion told Sky Italia.
But Hamilton has acknowledged there has been friction between himself and his team-mate, even if their partnership has continued to deliver for the Silver Arrows.
"We are grown men and we have done the job that we are hired to do to the maximum," he said. "We've not done it 95 per cent or 80 per cent, we've done it 100 per cent to how they've wanted us to do it.
"Has there been friction? Of course, you can't have it perfect always. But have we always shone light on this team? I believe so. Have we always delivered when they've given us the opportunity to do so? I believe so."
And contrary to his boss's comments, Hamilton added: "Nico's job is not in jeopardy and neither is mine."
According to Hamilton, the comments are directed at the entire team and will serve as a wake-up call heading into 2016.
"I think it is easy for people to get complacent in life and I think it is important as a team we don't get complacent," he continued.
"We've had two incredibly successful years and when you complain about small things I think that is when you can easily lose your way. Of course we always want to be better and perfect, but as long as we stay together and continue to communicate I think it will be good."
Hamilton is spending his winter holidays in Colorado and will return to F1 action when pre-season testing begins in late February.
