Wolff defends Hamilton: 'Are all the years we spent together a failure?'
F1 News
Toto Wolff has jumped to defend Lewis Hamilton after the Brit criticised Mercedes after finishing 10th at the Brazilian Grand Prix. Speaking in the press conference, Wolff highlighted the consistent transparency between the pair, meaning that there is no bad blood. Wolff also highlighted the fact that Hamilton's lengthy tenure with Mercedes shouldn't be overshadowed by the last few difficult years.
The seven-time world champion's confidence has doubtlessly been boosted with two first-place finishes in both practice sessions on the first day of running in Las Vegas, but a few weeks ago in Brazil, Hamilton felt low. While returning to the pitlane after the event, he sent a confusing message over the Mercedes team radio. "If this is the last time I get to perform, it was a shame it wasn't great, but [I am] grateful for you," he said. When speaking to the media, Hamilton said that his Mercedes exit can't come soon enough.
Wolff remains relaxed: 'It was one sentence in a book'
Toto Wolff isn't upset with Hamilton's snap. The two communicate regularly, and it was a heat-in-the-moment comment, as he explained to the media. "Lewis and I speak, and we've always done so. A sentence that correlates or a sentence that then happens is being made public on the weekend, particularly when he hasn't been satisfied with his driving and the car. Then one plus one that makes it look bad. But one rule that we've established very early in our relationship is that we talk immediately. Why did you say that? What did you mean? And that is what we have done. And that was one sentence in a book. And there were 99 sentences around the Brazil weekend," the Mercedes team boss explained.
"In some interviews that I've given about Lewis where, I clearly remarked that he's the greatest driver of all time and that if we can give him a quick car, he's going to be able to win, he's able to fight for a championship, but we have failed in doing so," Wolff said honestly.
Wolff hits back at the media's 'overshadow' comment:
Later on in the press conference, the Austrian was asked if the last few years would overshadow Hamilton's incredible success at Mercedes. After all, Hamilton has won six drivers titles with Mercedes and eight constructors championships since 2013. To respond to the question, Wolff used a basketballing reference, which should resonate with fans.
"Michael Jordan played 12 seasons or whatever, he won six (NBA) championships… Were the other six a failure? And I think we've been together 12 years now in this championship, and we won eight. Are the other ones a failure? We finished third two years ago, we finished second last year, bearing in mind we haven't won a race, and we won three this year. So, that is not all a failure. That was a pretty good spell for Mercedes and for Lewis. And we will be trying to do it better. We are trying to do it better every single day, every single weekend. And the same will be next season and then the big one in ‘26." Wolff concluded.
Hamilton will be hoping to replicate his practice form in tomorrow's qualifying in Sin City. With Red Bull, McLaren and Ferrari just behind Mercedes on the first day of running, there is still a lot of time for the pack to be shaken up.
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