Lewis Hamilton hopes his win in Monaco gives a boost to his mechanics after a turbulent start to the 2016 season.
Those criticising the team on social media latched on to Mercedes' decision to swap a number of mechanics between its cars over the winter, arguing it was somehow related to Hamilton's slump in form at the opening five races. The team consistently denied suggestions it was favouring Rosberg over Hamilton and went as far as writing an open letter to fans after the Russian Grand Prix to debunk a number of conspiracy theories on its social media channels.
Hamilton now hopes his victory in Monaco helps galvanise the team as a whole while giving an extra boost to the confidence of the mechanics working on his side of the garage.
"Of course we have a long, long way to go and I think these past five races have just shown that anything is possible and more so than not on a negative way for me, so I'm conscious of moving forward. There are still issues and mistakes are being made, so we really need to pull together as a team because where we are right now, we've got more pressure than we've ever had before because of the other teams applying that pressure.
"You are starting to see small buckles here and there so I think what is really important is that we pull together because we are the greatest team, we just need to refine a few areas and I think today hopefully will be a boost at least for my mechanics who have been nervous all year.
"It's not easy coming from one side of the garage to the world champion's car, it's not easy. I would imagine that is the same when you are given Fernando as a driver or Sebastian, that's just how it is. I need to turn up in the car and deliver and because of the issues that we've had they have probably felt like we're not delivering but we have been delivering and I think today must be a great relief for them.
"I'm grateful to them for sticking through it and sticking with me and I think from now on, hopefully today will give them the confidence to know that I'm just as strong as I have always been and I will be for the rest of the year."