Mercedes have been 'discussing' team orders for US GP, says Wolff

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has confessed that the prospect of issuing team orders during the United States Grand Prix on Sunday between Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas so that the former wins the F1 drivers' championship has been "discussed".

Wolff caused some controversy during the Russian GP a few weeks ago when he requested that Valtteri Bottas abandon his P1 position in favour of Hamilton due to the threat posed by Sebastian Vettel in behind.

The Austrian apologised to Bottas following the decision and recognised himself as the "baddie" of the piece, but has admitted it could happen again at the Circuit of the Americas this weekend if it meant claiming championship-winning points for Hamilton.

“We have been discussing that and struggling so much with the decision" Wolff admitted.

"Eventually when it comes on Sunday, I probably would go for the points but in my heart I hate it. Let’s see how Sunday goes.

"We were discussing 2007 and when the championship was lost with two races to go with a few points and it is really just a full concentration every single day and if the points are enough then we are lucky and we will have a big celebration. If not, then we go to the next race and we push very hard.”

Zoom in... ???? pic.twitter.com/s2Z49Hmd1p — Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) 19 October 2018

However, this is in contrast to previous comments by Wolff which suggested he would not be issuing team orders, with the decision up to chief strategist James Vowles.

"He's in command at that moment even though from my ranking I'm higher up. But I will not interfere. It is his call in the end," the Mercedes boss said previously.

Whether it be from Wolff or Vowles, Mercedes have admitted the possibility of team orders being initiated this Sunday in Austin.

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