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Toto Wolff Zeroes In On ‘Very Critical’ Lewis Hamilton After Italian Grand Prix

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff recently highlighted Lewis Hamilton’s self-critical nature following the seven-time world champion’s performance at the Italian Grand Prix qualifying. Hamilton, who finished in P6, expressed intense frustration with himself, a reaction that Wolff and others in the team see as a hallmark of a true champion—a sentiment echoed by teammate George Russell and rising star Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who is set to join Mercedes in 2025.

During the Italian Grand Prix weekend, Hamilton was notably hard on himself after missing out on pole position. Despite the car’s potential, he ended up sixth on the grid, a result that left him “furious.” Hamilton acknowledged that he had the speed to secure at least a front-row start but ultimately fell short due to minor mistakes. He specifically mentioned losing time in the first two corners and again in the last corner, areas where he knew he could have done better. Speaking to Sky Sports F1 after the session, Hamilton didn’t hold back in his self-assessment.

“I am furious, absolutely furious,” Hamilton said. “I could have been on pole, at least on the front row. I just didn’t do the job at the end. I lost a tenth and a half through Turns One and Two, and then a tenth in the last corner. No one to blame but myself. Qualifying has been my weakness for a minute now and I can’t figure it out.”

Hamilton’s frustration was palpable as he admitted that qualifying has been a persistent challenge for him. Despite having one of the best cars on the grid and a strong setup from the team, he was unable to maximize his potential when it counted the most. The 39-year-old driver reflected on his struggles, noting that he had been battling with his qualifying performance for some time and couldn’t seem to pinpoint the exact issue.

“I will be kicking myself for the next couple of hours, but I need to move forward. We have a good race car, the team have done an amazing job this weekend, they really have. The car felt better than last race and the team deserve better,” Hamilton added. “Maybe they will get that with Kimi [Antonelli].”

In a surprising comment, Hamilton even suggested that Antonelli, who is poised to join Mercedes next year, could potentially fill the gap in performance that he currently feels he is leaving.

Hamilton concluded his self-criticism by stating, “It was absolutely ridiculous from my side and completely unacceptable. I’m just not very good at qualifying, simple as that. It is unbelievably frustrating, but I will keep working. That’s all I can do.”

Toto Wolff, however, views Hamilton’s self-reflection as a sign of greatness. According to Wolff, this ability to introspect and hold oneself accountable is a key characteristic of a world champion. He pointed out that the greatest athletes, regardless of the sport, are often their own harshest critics.

“I think the great characteristic of a champion is to first look at himself and say, ‘What did I do wrong?’ And I think that’s what he’s doing,” Wolff told GPBlog.com. “He’s trying to find where he can improve, what he could have done better, and where he’s lost performance. He’s been very strong and was a role model for George, and even for Kimi. It’s something that is important for the team. But the greatest of all time are very critical.”

As Hamilton prepares to leave Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025, where he aims to clinch his eighth world title, his commitment to self-improvement remains unwavering. Despite the challenges, Wolff and the Mercedes team continue to value Hamilton’s critical approach as it exemplifies the relentless pursuit of excellence that has defined his career.