Formula One’s constructors, though more pressingly, manufacturers, would envy the position Mercedes finds itself in.
The German marque has been subjected to divided opinion in the wake of the season finale at Abu Dhabi.
Yet the reality is that the Silver Arrows achieved their sixth title in three seasons as light gave way to dark on Sunday evening.
Fifty-one Grands Prix victories from fifty-nine attempts since the dawn of the hybrid era don’t do justice to the magnitude of the Brackley outfit’s accomplishments.
They have conceded no greater than three victories in each campaign.
Seldom has the sport witnessed such sustained domination where both drivers have contributed in near commensurate measure.
That Mercedes will count champions – renewed or bred by their hand throughout the past three seasons – on each side of the garage in 2017, shouldn’t daunt pitwall as some fear.
Each driver on its roster has now tasted the ultimate success. If there isn’t incentive enough to redouble their respective efforts to coincide with the resurrection of the ‘aero’ era rather than resting on their laurels, nothing will be.
Despite having its hands full contending with an intra-team battle lasting the balance of the season, the lure of sustained success through ‘phase two’ of the hybrid age – which would legitimise Mercedes’ claim as the greatest force in the series’ history – is bound to have received the same treatment which propelled them to the forefront in 2014.
To master the notional ‘engine’ PU formula, complemented by the imminent ‘technical’ formula, would be nothing if not dynastical.
Nico Rosberg’s long-awaited realisation of becoming World Champion is in many respects the official culmination of the manufacturer’s return to Formula One in its’ own capacity in 2010. This tenure required considerable time to bear fruit.
Though in 2012 the German gleaned his first victory and the marque’s first since 1955, the Lewis Hamilton juggernaut soon rolled into town, and the Briton was an undeniable benefactor of the former’s earlier toils with successive titles in 2014 and 2015.
While recognition was a primary factor in Daimler’s decision to create its own destiny rather than wait on a scandal prone McLaren, witnessing a compatriot claim the crown was an initial priority.
Michael Schumacher lent gravitas if little else to an operation deceivingly starved of resources.
Time and a rapidly evolving sport, foreign to the one the German had departed in 2006, had passed the seven-time champion.
Thus, belatedly, the objective has come full circle with Rosberg fulfilling the prophecy.
He is Mercedes’ man, having been there since day one.
They should feel no guilt for being further enthused by his triumph than Hamilton’s, and can proceed forth with a nucleus which renders the Briton expendable, should he opt for a scorched earth approach in 2017.
Say what you wish about Hamilton’s antics at Abu Dhabi, they went against team policy.
Alluding to this in a previous piece, if the precedent of the Briton’s assumption that he is greater than the outfit continues, equipped with enviable machinery at his disposal, Hamilton achieved what he was employed to realise.
Though if he believes this entitles him to complete autonomy, Mercedes shouldn’t be afraid to take executive action and install somebody who knows their place and appreciates what an opportunity they have been granted.
Nico Rosberg certainly does, with no indication of dissidence from his camp.
Hamilton has enjoyed many victories throughout his tenure, though there were many others he could have gleaned yet for critical errors at varying stages over a race weekend.
In most instances, Rosberg proved that he could assume responsibility for bringing home a silver car first with minimal fuss, which ultimately forged his path to becoming champion.
Should it come to pass, this is a small headache for an operation which has conquered all before it in recent times to contemplate.
However, it is a headache which is worth nipping in the bud before it manifests into a migraine.
As this is an outfit which could be on the precipice of a dynasty.
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