Toto Wolff made a remarkable statement during the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. The team boss apologised to Lewis Hamilton for the 'shit box' he had delivered to the factory. Jan Lammers finds it unbelievable that the team boss put it this way, he tells in the NOS Formula 1-podcast.
The German team may have finished third and fourth, but it was far from easy. The team suffered so much from porpoising that Hamilton and George Russell left the car with back pain. Lammers does not understand Wolff's subsequent words, however. "I am dumbfounded," said the former Formula One driver.
"He at least represents Mercedes and has a nice responsibility. That you then call your brand a shit box: I have a lot of experience working with world-class companies, but there I have never experienced a PR department that tolerates this kind of thing."
Battle between Ferrari and Mercedes
Russell's third place means he is slowly closing in on Charles Leclerc in the world championship. The Monegasque is in third place with 116 points, while the Briton has seventeen points less. This weekend's GP in Canada will see Russell again hoping for a podium finish.
As many have said, and Toto apparently agrees, the design of the car was a mistake. Bite the bullet and raise the car to a safe level and race. We know it will be humbling to admit failure, but I guess that was covered by you labeling the car a turd.
If Mercedes didn't deliver wins it deliver articles with a lot of comments...A lot of guys who are not Mercedes fans are interesting in this kind of articles more than are interested in the articles who praise the wins of favourite teams :)))
Yes Merc fans. Let it be known that Mercedes is a S%%% box. Atleast according to Toto. Time to trade in those S%%% boxes for something better.
Both lewis and toto are ungrateful to their team. Now that they dont have the rocketship, they are whining, crying and now insulting their brand! Toto is going to get fired soon. And i hope that changes the mercedes culture
Toto will be toast. We keep hearing that Lewis is doing all the 'development work', so is disadvantaged. What a martyr. Can't we just see what happens when they (Lewis and George) drive same spec cars? I think they are afraid to do that.
Lewis is very weak in giving input to his team. Even Mercedes has acknowledged that he doesnt know how to help engineers develop the car! So until the engineers figure it out for themselves or until the FIA helps them, they are sitting ducks!!!
Thats the respect Toto shows to Daimler AG , who is paying him decent million salary.
It is what it is , and it needs to change. The frustrations are evident , and now the physical injuries are happening with both drivers. There is an urgency to make the car work.
Just have to lift the ride height. Cars should be black flagged.
It is a radical comment from Wolff. Not what you expect, and in terms of image it is very bad. He owns a third of the F1 team, but if i were one of the other 2 shareholders, i would get him at the table to have a serious talk with him because that is unacceptable.
Fir being honest...no real f1 fan would be fooled by talking it up....just that withf1 2022....no private space. everything on air
Throughout much of the previous era Toto and LH both rubbished their machinery and tried to underplay their advantage every chance they got in order to elevate their supposed impact and lessen the contribution of the engineers. All PR.
Seven-time F1 champion Lewis Hamilton has claimed that his dodgy Mercedes is “killing” him. (The Sun) No one wants to see that. Having too much fun watching George showing him how its done.
I see that Mercedes made a mistake in appointing Wolff. This manager cannot take responsibility if he suffers from psychological problems as he previously said. You just have to look at the difference between Mercedes Braun and Mercedes Wolff The results may not be good but the reputation and stability of the team is more important
How many titles later...8 if I am not mistaken....seems to suggest something big on the way...something much better...if this was their best he would talk it up...
It is with emotion that the public is looking forward to the accomplishments Wolff has achieved for Mercedes But do you think jeopardizing the safety of drivers in order to win is justified?
19 out of 20 drivers think bouncing is a problem...not just merc...all except Alonso...but i get your point
Not completely sure, but I would guess it is how many posts that individual has made?
I have a question about this blog. What is meant by a plus sign with a number?
You do realise that Toto is not just a manger but he actually owns an equal portion of the team (33.3%). As Daimler AMG only own the same along with Ineos you can safely say Toto’s job is safe. It’s pretty difficult to get fired when you are the owner as well with guarantees in place to keep your job regardless. If Daimler or Ineos are snot happy with Toto they can always sell their stake in the team but I highly doubt that will happen anytime soon.
It's the best car on the grid not named Ferrari or Redbull. If the Merc is a poo box what does that make the McLaren or Alpine? ?
Maybe Tito knows where they should be.. as team boss and part owner....if he called it a super machine who would relive him?? Maybe could have stayed quiet though
As Otto von Grunf would say: "He who loses victory, wins defeat."
I think WOL is in his last days. If MER accepts this, then I will never drive a MER anymore. Last year’s behavior was shameless, this is again over the top. The MER is a very reliable and beautiful machine, it is WOL’s mismanagement by sticking to old victory’s HAM what is the real problem. Say goodbye to this cheater and assign a real human being as team manager.
Why is the car considered to be so bad when it came in P3 & P4 in the race? If it was McLaren or Alpine that has finished in those positions, I am sure Zak or Otmar would have been jumping for joy. It is not as good as the RB or Ferrari this year, but its definitely not a 'sh-t box' as Toto has called it.
Which also prorpoises violently on track at high speeds...for all with eyes to see
Ummmmm... There is one who can make the call to solve the problem/issue... Are you willing to make that call or just keep up with the apology tour?
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