Prost compares Hamilton, Rosberg battle to Senna clash

Paris - Former Formula 1 driver Alain Prost has likened the intensifying fight between Mercedes' two drivers to his legendary battle with team mate Ayrton Senna.

The German team openly contemplated imposing team orders after Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg's latest collision at the 2016 Austrian GP, deciding instead to only toughen the rules of engagement and impose mysterious 'deterrent' measures.

'Team orders not necessary' 

But Prost thinks team orders could eventually be imposed by Mercedes at the business end of the 2016 season.

Prost told the French sports daily L'Equipe: "If with two or three GPs until the end, Toto Wolff issues instructions, it will have to be accepted but of course it's a shame.

"I would do the same thing." 

More: 6 times Rosberg and Hamilton battled, crashed on track

The Frenchman said: "In a team, there is always one of the drivers who wants to gain the upper hand, but as far as I am concerned, the problem should be resolved between them.

"That's what happened with myself and Ayrton Senna, even if our relationship deteriorated after that.

Prost added: "But I think as long as they (Hamilton and Rosberg) are out the front, team orders are not necessary."