Lewis Hamilton would not disobey Mercedes Formula 1 team to win

In the 2015 Mexican Grand Prix Hamilton questioned a Mercedes call to pit for fresh tyres following the introduction of the safety car late on, believing he could go to the end, only to be informed he had to do so for safety reasons.

A fortnight later in the penultimate race in Brazil, Hamilton suggested during the race he be given a different strategy to that of Nico Rosberg in a bid to pass his team-mate, only to be denied.

In both instances Hamilton was forced to settle for second behind Rosberg.

Asked by Autosport whether it was possible for him to make his own decisions given Mercedes' policy of equality in a race, Hamilton said: "It's a question of whether or not it's the right decision for the team because you also have to step back and realise it's not just about yourself.

"It's about 1,300 people, and the decision I selfishly make can impact all of them.

"So, no, I don't make a decision for myself. I want to make sure I make the right decision on behalf of everyone."

Hamilton has conceded, though, there have been moments when he has seriously questioned in his mind the team's wisdom.

"In Mexico they said the tyres wouldn't last, but tyre life was 70 or 80 laps, so they would have lasted," he said.

"I found out afterwards the tyres would have lasted so I could have stayed out and made the tyres go the whole race, no problem.

"But the team didn't know that at the time and their choice was to do a stop for safety reasons.

"They didn't know what the tyres would do because in the past tyres have blown up.

"But at least I knew in my heart I was right in terms of the decision I thought about taking."

Mercedes motorsport boss Toto Wolff remarked after the Brazilian race that if a driver were allowed to make his own call, he would always lose.

"When you are in a car you don't have the bigger picture, hence the reason why you do have to fall back and rely on those guys quite a lot," added Hamilton.

"The majority of the time the team is obviously in the best position, but every now and then the driver might be in a better position.

"But you work as a team. It's not about you on your own out there."