No media pressure on Hamilton, says Lauda

Following criticism of him using Snapchat on his phone during an FIA press conference, Hamilton opted out of a later team media gathering, having explained that he felt coverage had been disrespectful.

On Sunday, the Briton used Twitter to criticise an "idiot" who reported that Mercedes had lodged a protest against Max Verstappen, later deleting the tweet.

However, Lauda does not regard the matter as serious.

"Lewis has no pressure from the media, not the other way round," the Austrian told Motorsport.com.

"Sometimes you don't want to talk, which is fine with me.

"Sometimes you talk more. I think it's normal for anybody. Even you journalists don't want to talk every day!

"I think we can sort this all out, I'm not worried anyway. We won a championship, which is the most important thing, which will overcome all this, let's call it, bullshit talk."

Meanwhile, Lauda was delighted to see the team secure its third constructors' title in Suzuka.

"I'm very happy, especially for the people in Brixworth and Brackley, because they are the people winning these championships, not me. We've done a perfect job this year again to win the championship, otherwise you don't win it, and we've done everything right, no more to say.

"Nico was perfect, but Lewis made a mistake on the start, which cost him at least a second place. But these things can happen. Lewis went flat out all the way. It was not relaxed, Red Bull and Ferrari were quick, and we did the right thing and won, thank God."

Regarding prospects for the title battle, he said: "Wait and see. We as Mercedes have to make sure that both cars work perfectly for four races. This is my job, and I will put every effort in that nothing happens to one or the other car."