Toto Wolff has knocked back any suggestion that George Russell is being favoured over Lewis Hamilton for Mercedes upgrades after eye-opening commends made by the seven-time world champion in Monte Carlo.
There was nothing to separate the two Mercedes drivers in qualifying last year as they managed to start in front of the other 11 times each.
But it's been a different story in 2024 with Hamilton leaving the team to join Ferrari next year.
The Japanese Grand Prix is the only time Hamilton has started ahead of Russell on the grid and it was a similar story in Monaco despite some impressive runs during practice for the 39-year-old.
Hamilton made sensational claims after qualifying in Monaco on Saturday that he doesn't envisage beating Russell over one lap for the remainder of the season.
"The team worked really hard back at the factory to bring an upgrade in the last two races and also an upgrade this weekend, but we only had one, which George has.
“I anticipated it would be difficult to out-qualify George because he has the upgraded component, but it’s just great to see that we are bringing upgrades. But once we got to qualifying... I don’t understand."
He added: “I don’t anticipate being ahead of George in qualifying particularly this year, but we’ve just got to keep pushing, and the races are strong.”
Hamilton's eye-opening comments were put to Mercedes team principal Wolff, who was quick to dismiss any suggestion of favouritism in the team.
"Aren't all drivers a bit sceptical at times?" Wolff asked.
"As a team we have always demonstrated - even in the most tense competitions between team-mates - that we are always trying to balance what is right and be transparent and fair.
"I can understand as a driver you want the best out of yourself and the team, and sometimes when it is going against you you can question that.
"But as a team we are 100 per cent on a mission of giving both drivers the best possible cars and strategies.
"We are trying to do the best out of the relationship (with Hamilton).
"Trying to maximise the results for what is our final season together.
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"And that situation between drivers and teams can be tense at times because everybody wants to do the best."
Hamilton sits behind Russell in the Drivers' Championship with both Mercedes drivers in seventh and eighth respectively.
They've fallen away from both Ferrari and McLaren, who have begun to close the gap to Red Bull in recent races.
