Wolff has no problem with Mercedes' drivers being "attack dogs"

Toto Wolff says that he has no problem if his Mercedes drivers are "attack dogs" in 2017. These comments emerge as there are rumours suggesting that a rivalry has already formed between Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas.

Hamilton said in a recent online interview that he is against drivers sharing data with their team mates, which some see as a direct message to unnerve Bottas.

"You cannot want an attack dog in the car and a puppy dog outside of the car," Mercedes team boss Wolff is quoted by the German press. "It's not always easy to deal with it and I do not always expect smooth sailing," he added.

Former Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg has said that if he talked to Bottas, he would refuse to give away Hamilton's racing "secrets". Rosberg endured a tense relationship with Hamilton while they partnered each other for four years.

Asked if that meeting has already taken place, Bottas told Bild am Sonntag newspaper: "No, not yet. Maybe it would be interesting to talk to him. It could be valuable to know what he has experienced. He (Rosberg) knows everyone in the team, so anything that helps me to get performance, I will do it. But of course, he must also want to tell me things."

The team is preparing to launch their car, which will become publicly visible on Thursday 23rd of March.

"It's just for filming but at least we get to drive," said the 27-year-old. "Basically, testing begins and then four days later we're in Barcelona."

As for Hamilton's father Anthony's claim that his new teammate is a "career killer", Bottas responded: "I can only win in this duel -- I don't think he will destroy my career.

"I will show what I can do. I tell you what, I would not like to be my teammate either. Because I know exactly what I am capable of. We will see how the duel goes, but the fact is that I'm really looking forward to it and I'm counting the days to the tests and the first race."

Fergal Walsh