Mercedes say they’re keen to understand exactly why Lewis Hamilton has been unable to match team-mate Nico Rosberg recently, given his dominance during much of the 2015 season.
Rosberg secured his sixth consecutive pole position in Abu Dhabi and his third consecutive win, to round off the season in dominantn fashion.
Meanwhile Hamilton has failed to win a race since clinching his third title at the United States Grand Prix in October, leading some to suggest he unconsciously took it easier once the title had been decided.
“There has been so much discussion about whether he [Rosberg] has stepped up his game, or has the car come towards him development wise?” said Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff.
“Or has Lewis taken it more easy unconsciously – for sure not consciously? I don’t know.”
Mercedes are however keen to find out why it’s happened, with Hamilton himself believing a change to the car in Singapore is the reason it now suits Rosberg’s driving style more than his own.
“I think we have to do an intelligent list over the next couple of weeks and try to analyse [why],” added Wolff. “I think we have to find out.
“A car is being developed and being improved, and after Singapore we developed in a different direction.
“We took some learning on board after that weekend and whether the car has come more towards Nico and against Lewis I don’t know. It could be a factor.
“But I wouldn’t want to reduce it on to one single factor, it could be many possible factors playing a role.”
