OCTOBER 2, 2016

Wolff, Lauda could stay together beyond 2017

Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda have indicated they aim to keep their working relationship together at Mercedes.

Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda have indicated they aim to keep their working relationship together at Mercedes.

Boss Wolff has been linked with Bernie Ecclestone's job, while F1 legend and team chairman Lauda's contract is also reportedly set to expire at the end of 2017.

Wolff told German television Sky: "We enjoy what we do here, which is the most important thing.

"We have good discussions and we'll see what way it goes," he added.

As for fellow Austrian and 64-year-old Lauda, he suggested that he is also open to inking a new Mercedes contract.

"If I am asked, I would say yes," he said.

Lauda said he often finds himself on the side of the drivers, when Wolff is attempting to manage the difficult relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.

"There are times when he (Wolff) wants to have very brutal rules and then I'm the softer one who says 'They are just racing drivers'," he said.

Wolff smiled: "You must not manage them, but they also may not be left alone completely.

"The relationship between them goes in waves: there are obviously uncomfortable moments, after which they are not on very good terms with each other."

(GMM)