Toto Wolff: 'Mercedes duo free to fight for title'

Toto Wolff the Mercedes GP Executive Director looks on from the pitwall during day four of Formula One Winter Testing at the Circuito de Jerez on January 31, 2014
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Mercedes clear the path for their two drivers to fight unimpeded for the 2016 title.

Mercedes have cleared the path for their two drivers to fight unimpeded for the 2016 title.

With the constructors' championship now wrapped up, team boss Toto Wolff has given the green light to Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton, according to Bild.

Previously, there has been talk of rules of engagement that are so lengthy they have been referred to as 'The Bible', but Wolff is now quoted as saying: "There are no team orders and no limitations. May the better one win."

World champion Hamilton lags teammate Rosberg by 33 points with four races to go, and team chairman Niki Lauda thinks that German Rosberg effectively has it in the bag.

"If nothing goes wrong in Nico's car, Lewis will not be able to do it this season," the F1 legend told Sport Bild.

"There are years that just don't work for you, and Lewis seems to have caught such a year."

Yet while a similarly calculating driver like Alain Prost or Lauda himself might have nursed a big lead to the chequered flag, Rosberg says he is not changing his approach.

"I drive as though the score is nil-all," said the German.

"In football, it doesn't work if a team wants to manage a lead to the end - often, this only gives the opponent the chance to build back up again."

The championship continues on Sunday with the United States Grand Prix.

Mercedes GP Team Principal Ross Brawn attends the official press conference following practice for the Italian Formula One Grand Prix at Autodromo di Monza on September 6, 2013
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