F1 News
Croft questions Hamilton sabotaging claims: 'Show me the data'
In an email sent around the paddock, it suggested that Lewis Hamilton was being sabotaged by the Mercedes team. Wolff has since responded to the speculation, and has confirmed the police have been contacted over the email. Speaking on Sky Sports, David Croft also suggested the team would not want to jepoardise the team's performance, given they need the points.
"I think I think for me, show me the data. And I'm not saying one side or other is right on this argument, but show me the data. If the team are disadvantaging one driver, the data will be there to prove that. So if somebody who proposes to be a member of the Mercedes team thinks that the data is there, show it," Croft said. "At the moment, I don't understand why Mercedes would want to disadvantage a driver, even if that driver is going at the end of the season to Ferrari."
Why would Mercedes sabotage Hamilton?
Although Hamilton will be leaving at the end of the season for Ferrari, the team will still need a good performance from him this season if they wish to be competitive. Mercedes are currently fourth in the Constructors, 88 points behind McLaren. "Whilst Lewis is still a Mercedes driver, he is earning points in the Constructors' Championship that gets turned into prize money at the end of the season. And every point counts and every position counts towards money for next year," Croft argued. "So even though Lewis isn't going to be in Mercedes next year, the money that he could help them earn will be going to the team. So there's nothing in it for Mercedes to be disadvantaging a driver. That's where this story doesn't add up to me," he concluded.
Hamilton has also confirmed there are no issues between himself and his teammate George Russell: "There's nothing going on between George and myself. We're in a very good relationship. I've got a great relationship with the team as well."