Norbert Haug has dismissed suggestions that the Monaco grand prix showed Lewis Hamilton that he should forget about winning a race in 2007.
The British press criticised McLaren heavily last week, after the Mercedes-powered team ordered the sensational 22-year-old rookie to follow his world champion teammate Fernando Alonso to the chequered flag.
But Haug, who is Mercedes’ competition director, told the newspaper ‘Express’ that the protection of Alonso’s winning chances will not become a trend.
“If you drive for us, you are free to race.
“We would be the happiest out of everyone if Lewis wins,” the German added, ahead of this weekend’s Canadian grand prix in Montreal.
Team boss Ron Dennis, too, insists that Monaco was simply a “one off” that required a more restrictive strategy.
“We will never favour one driver, no matter who it is, we never have, we never will,” he said.
“If you are a member of this grand prix team, there is equal opportunity for drivers to race, the vast majority of the time. But Monaco is not one of them.”
