Hamilton and Bottas team orders was the 'right' call - Brawn

Formula 1 chief Ross Brawn believes that Mercedes made the correct decision when they opted to initiate team orders on Valtteri Bottas and Lewis Hamilton to swap positions while the Finn was leading the Russian Grand Prix, saying they needed to do what was best for the team.

With Bottas in first position, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff ordered over the team radio that he should allow Hamilton to pass into first due to the threat posed by Sebastian Vettel, who remains the Brit's closest rival in the drivers' championship.

Both Hamilton and Wolff were apologetic to Bottas afterwards, but Brawn, who has been a chief at Ferrari in the past, believes it was the right call.

"I reckon the German team's decision was the right one," Brawn said of Mercedes.

"The primary aim for a team is to get the best possible result for both championships, and that's what they did.

"I have found myself in this situation many times in the past and personally, I always believed the collective interest of the team comes before that of an individual driver."

Wolff has since defended the action, saying he would rather be viewed as a "baddie" rather than an "idiot" if Mercedes were to regret not taking the opportunity to gain more points in the future.

Brawn has sympathy for Bottas, but has also praised Wolff for being honest about the situation.

"In may not be easily accepted by the fans, nor look good for the sport, and that is where the team have to judge the circumstances and make their decision,” F1's managing director continued.

“I can understand Bottas' frustration, as he had a great weekend, demonstrating how well the Sochi track suits him, but team-orders are part of the sport.

"Also, it's always better to apply them in a transparent manner, rather than trying to hide it, something we have seen sometimes in the past, which raised accusations of deception."

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