I was listening to Eddie Jordan on the radio yesterday talking about Lewis Hamilton and his outstanding achievements in his first Formula 1 championship on the McLaren Mercedes team. Eddie commented that both Hamilton and his team mate Fernando Alonso are so determined to beat one another that the team’s performance is improving with each race. Although the two drivers are on the same team, they are both fighting really hard to win the championship. As a result they are both pushing really hard and the bar is gradually being raised for everyone. There has been media commentary that Alonso may feel Hamilton is being given preferential treatment and it would seem that all is not particularly harmonious within the team. That said, the team is doing exceptionally well, currently leading the championship by thirty-five points, with the two drivers well ahead of those from other teams.

Do you think it’s healthy to encourage this type of competition between your team members, even if it creates conflict between the individuals? Is it always worth it if it means the team performs better? And how do you manage the team members once the competition is over and they need to start training for the next one?