Mercedes executive director (business) Toto Wolff has said the team could be forced to reconsider its stance on team orders if the chasing pack catches up later in the 2014 season.
The Brackley-based outfit's drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg were allowed to race freely at the Bahrain Grand Prix, which produced a thrilling battle for the lead.
Hamilton eventually won the inter-team fight to take the chequered flag at the Bahrain International Circuit in first place.
Mercedes has yet to issue team orders to its drivers so far this season, but Wolff admitted that this could change if rival outfits cut the sizeable advantage that the team currently has.
"There might be situations where you can’t lose lots of time in battle if you have your enemy right up your back," he is quoted as saying by the BBC.
"Bahrain was a very particular situation because our package worked very well there and we had quite a competitive advantage, so it’s easier to take a decision for the sake of racing because you know you have quite a margin to the guy in third place.
"The narrower that margin gets, the more you have to look out. Our rule is that the competition is enemy number one, not your teammate.
"There might be situations in the race where you have to consider that, but we will see what happens."
Mercedes has so far dominated the start of the 2014 season, winning all four races and registering three consecutive 1-2 finishes.
The German marque currently holds a 97-point lead over Red Bull Racing in the constructors' championship, with Rosberg topping the drivers' standings by just four points from Hamilton, who will be chasing win number four at the next race in Spain.
Despite the Brit looking to have the advantage over his team-mate at the moment, Wolff is expecting it to be a "constant battle" throughout the year.
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| © Mercedes AMG Petronas |
Hamilton eventually won the inter-team fight to take the chequered flag at the Bahrain International Circuit in first place.
Mercedes has yet to issue team orders to its drivers so far this season, but Wolff admitted that this could change if rival outfits cut the sizeable advantage that the team currently has.
"There might be situations where you can’t lose lots of time in battle if you have your enemy right up your back," he is quoted as saying by the BBC.
"Bahrain was a very particular situation because our package worked very well there and we had quite a competitive advantage, so it’s easier to take a decision for the sake of racing because you know you have quite a margin to the guy in third place.
"The narrower that margin gets, the more you have to look out. Our rule is that the competition is enemy number one, not your teammate.
"There might be situations in the race where you have to consider that, but we will see what happens."
Mercedes has so far dominated the start of the 2014 season, winning all four races and registering three consecutive 1-2 finishes.
The German marque currently holds a 97-point lead over Red Bull Racing in the constructors' championship, with Rosberg topping the drivers' standings by just four points from Hamilton, who will be chasing win number four at the next race in Spain.
Despite the Brit looking to have the advantage over his team-mate at the moment, Wolff is expecting it to be a "constant battle" throughout the year.
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