Irvine would have still lost on race wins I believe, so it made no difference. I can guarantee that Schuey was best pleased about that though. He didn't want Irvine robbing him of Ferrari's first driver's title in 10 years.
We can debate it all we like, but apart from his first year with Merc (Sepang? and wasn't there a request at Hungry one year which he refused?) where he refused to move over for Nico - although he wasn't order by the team - he has never put himself in a position where he has needed to do so. I personally feel that he wouldn't be as accommodating as either Nico or Bottas have been, but have no evidence to support that. At the end of the day, Lewis is invariably faster than his teammate so doesn't put himself in a position of exposure.
yeah, 2014 hungary he refused to move over to give Nico a chance at the leaders, but the context was different. Mercedes were in a league of their own, a few dropped points weren't going to hurt them and their drivers only real competition was each other. If it happens this year? Well, there's no doubt that Bottas is Wolff's boy through and through, (which is why I don't believe there is a no.1 & no. 2 at Mercedes) and there is competition for both titles,so I think they'd say goodbye, either then and there (doubtful, though I could see them replacing him for a race if he puts his own ambition above the team) or at the end of the season. Lewis has proven time and again he isn't a team player, Alonso gets the blame for the fall-out at McLaren, but it was Lewis ignoring team orders during qualifying before the pit-lane shenanigans that started it all
I almost clicked 'like' for your post there BErn! Circumstances are easily overlooked, especially the further back one looks (aren't they, Gigglesy!). I think it worth emphasising the contrast between the way Mercedes allow their drivers to compete in principle where the likes of Ferrari and its copy-cat Red Bull have a history of stepping in to dictate very early – near the start of a race, for instance; or sometimes even before a season begins, where a top driver has made it a condition of his contract and also eschewed any real threat from a team-mate by all manner of means! Another thing worth pointing out is that Hamilton really does relish a challenge and positively wants to live or die by his own sword. Mercedes should be applauded.
It's easy to talk the talk and pretend you'll let your drivers race when they have 1.5 second advantage over the opposition, it's when that changes (like now) that the true colours will show. We'll see what they do this year now they aren't the only team able to win. Bahrain was the first real test, and they issued 2 team-orders (which didn't really matter imo as I think Hamilton would've taken Bottas anyway). I think they'll issue a lot more as the season progresses, they'll continue to talk the talk of course, but when it comes to actually walking the walk, they'll be on the phone to Uber.
With Kimi seemingly struggling to match Vettel, the main question will be at what point does Merc put its eggs in one basket and backs one driver to try and win the title against Vettel (assuming the current closeness of Merc/Ferrari continues). How early or late will Mercedes leave it, or will they genuinely do what they say and let their drivers race and risk the scenario of 1986 when Prost took the title after Williams allowed equal status between Piquet & Mansell?
Well, Frank always said the car was the star, so I imagine he was quite happy that his team were the clear world champions, which is what I believe the Mercedes team prioritise over all else. They're happy to let them race in certain conditions, but Bottas will be more assertive in defence and attack than Rosberg,so even those certain conditions could become non-existant once the almost inevitable ding-dong happens. I think they'd happily sacrific a WDC to safeguard the WCC.
Seems that hamilton as nowhere so... It only makes sense for mercedes to back one. I think hamilton needs to wake up and not get a strop on now. he just needs to get 1st or 2nd on braca grid