Toto Wolff denies Lewis Hamilton ‘checked.....

Toto Wolff denies Lewis Hamilton ‘checked….. read more

Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, has defended Lewis Hamilton against claims that the seven-time F1 World Champion has “checked out” mentally as he prepares for a move to Ferrari. This discussion arose after Hamilton experienced a challenging qualifying season, where he was outqualified by his teammate George Russell, who claimed the edge 19 times compared to Hamilton’s five. Additionally, Russell outperformed Hamilton in Sprint Qualifying events, winning five out of six.

Despite his struggles in qualifying, Hamilton demonstrated a more competitive performance on race days, finishing only 22 points behind Russell in the overall standings of the 2024 championship, which consisted of 24 races. Hamilton’s race pace remained strong, but questions lingered about whether his age, as he recently turned 40, was starting to affect his performance. The prospect of a new challenge at Ferrari has led some to speculate that Hamilton’s focus may have shifted.

F1 journalist Ben Hunt suggested that Hamilton’s impending transition to Ferrari, for which he signed a contract a year ago, has impacted his motivation in 2024. During a podcast, Hunt expressed that Hamilton appeared to be mentally preparing for his future role at Ferrari, which he believed detracted from his performance with Mercedes. Hunt noted that once a driver begins to consider their next team, it often affects their current performance levels.

In response to these claims, Wolff asserted that Hamilton is too professional to let thoughts of a new team distract him from his current responsibilities. He emphasized that the current generation of cars doesn’t suit Hamilton’s driving style, particularly in qualifying. Wolff explained that Hamilton is known for his aggressive late braking and cornering techniques, which may not align well with the car and tire dynamics, especially in qualifying conditions. He acknowledged that other factors could also be influencing Hamilton’s performance but dismissed the notion that Hamilton was no longer fully committed to Mercedes.

As Hamilton aims for a record-breaking eighth Drivers’ World Championship title with Ferrari, history poses a challenge; only three drivers over 40 have ever won the title, with the last being Sir Jack Brabham in 1966. Former drivers have noted that a decline in qualifying performance is often the first indicator of age catching up with a driver. Wolff himself sparked controversy with comments regarding an athlete’s “shelf life” in a book, which he later clarified was misunderstood. He explained that aging affects everyone and that both drivers and managers must assess their capabilities over time.

Wolff acknowledged that while Hamilton may not be the same as he was at 20, his experience and racecraft remain exceptional. He pointed to Fernando Alonso, who turns 45 this season, as an example of how modern drivers can extend their careers and maintain competitiveness. Wolff noted that despite the natural effects of aging, top athletes like Hamilton can still perform at high levels for extended periods, given their focus and dedication.

In summary, Wolff’s comments underline that while Hamilton faces challenges, particularly in qualifying, he retains the skills and experience necessary to excel when the car is suited to his style. The focus now shifts to how he will adapt to his upcoming role at Ferrari while continuing to compete at the highest level with Mercedes.