“If this is the last time, I'm sorry, it wasn't better. » These comments from Lewis Hamilton, at the very end of the Brazilian Grand Prix, caused a lot of talk. And the Mercedes F1 driver himself confirmed that he had considered, but quickly and without believing it afterwards, putting an end to his season with Brackley during this disappointing race at Interlagos. A feeling that he then minimized.
In the process, Lewis Hamilton responded indirectly to Toto Wolff, who had estimated that his driver had necessarily “a lifetime” limited.
But let's not believe that there is any tension between Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton, who are also friends outside the circuits.
“Well, Lewis, as we all know for many years, wears his heart on his sleeve” Toto Wolff said at a press conference in Las Vegas.
“And I think that whole race weekend, and particularly Sunday, was a very bad experience for him, which in some ways was not unusual. Now, this time it was maybe… I'm going to correct myself here, this time in Brazil, this race was probably particularly bad. »
“But I think he and we as a team have done really well and held on to keep working together, because obviously there are three races left, he announced he was going to Ferrari at the start of the year, and I am quite proud of the way in which we have managed to maintain professional relations as they are. But we knew it was never going to be easy. And when the car is bad on a day like that and we haven't given him a good enough tool, it's frustrating, because he deserves better. »
Did Toto Wolff later regret his comments on the “cognitive alertness” of people with a “limited lifespan” in Formula 1? Was he targeting Lewis Hamilton?
“Well, I've said that a lot about this particular world, it wears us all out. We do more than 20 races per year. We travel everywhere. And what I said is that everyone has a limited lifespan and you don't want to go from “great” to “good.” And it's not just about pilots. And that's something I always support. I ask myself this question all the time. And I do it for the organization and for everyone around. »
But Lewis Hamilton may have felt targeted by these comments… So did Toto Wolff try to correct the trick with Lewis? By apologizing?
“Lewis and I talk, and we always have. A phrase that fits or a phrase that emerges becomes public on a weekend, especially when he was not satisfied with his driving or the car, so a plus one gives a bad image. But one rule we established very early in our relationship is that we speak immediately and ask each other, 'Why did you say that?' or 'What did you mean?' And that's what we did. »
“You know, that was one sentence and there were 99 other sentences around the weekend in Brazil and quotes in some interviews I gave about Lewis where I clearly say he is the greatest driver of all the times and that, if we are able to give him a fast car, he can win, he can fight for a championship, but we have failed to do that. »
A fishtail ending with Mercedes?
Finally, the history books will certainly move very quickly on Lewis Hamilton's last three seasons at Mercedes F1, starting in 2022. Perhaps three seasons too many…
Can Toto Wolff take stock of this period which was undoubtedly the worst, on a sporting level, of Lewis Hamilton's career at Mercedes F1?
“It is the most competitive motorsport in the world, and we have been fortunate and privileged to win eight consecutive world championship titles. This had never been done before in any other sport. And Lewis won seven drivers' championships. You can't extrapolate that and assume you're going to win forever or that you'll be in the running for every championship. This doesn't happen. The regulations changed twice and we maintained the level of performance and won championships. And then we were caught off guard by these new regulations in 2022.”
“Until today, we just haven't been able to put a consistent performance on the car and provide drivers with something that is predictable, that has enough downforce, that doesn't bounce or crash. does not jump, which offers acceptable behavior, where tire degradation can be managed correctly, neither too cold nor too hot. And that's how sport works. It's very simple. You know… I don't know where I read or heard this, but a basketball player was asked if he felt his season was a failure. And he answered: Michael Jordan played how many seasons? 10 seasons, I say that randomly, 10 seasons in the NBA or 12 seasons in the NBA and he won four of them. Does this mean everything else was a failure? Has anyone read this? Yes, and what exactly did he say? Michael Jordan played 12 seasons or whatever, he won six championships… Were the other six a failure? And I think we've been together for 12 years now in this championship and we've won eight of them. »
“We finished third two years ago, second last year, knowing we didn't win a race, and we won three this year. So it's not all a failure. It's been a pretty good period for Mercedes and for Lewis. And we will try to do better. We try to do better every day, every weekend. And it will be the same next season, then the big meeting in 2026.”
Lewis Hamilton therefore only has 3 Grands Prix left to compete with Mercedes F1, before a page turns. Does Toto Wolff realize that the deadline is approaching or is he still in the heat of the final triple-header?
“I think we’re still finishing the season. So weekends look like they used to. You know, these meetings where we discuss long-term development don't happen that often anymore and we haven't had them for a few months. So, it's pretty standard as usual. There is no overwhelming emotion now that this is all coming to an end, but I am sure that the closer we get to Abu Dhabi, the more important the last sessions, the last race together will be, because we have had this wonderful partnership for so long. »
“But that said, Lewis is not going to disappear. Lewis will be on the grid next year with a Ferrari. We don't lose the person, we just lose the pilot. But we are starting a new future. We have an 18 year old and another 27 year old driver who will be our drivers (Andrea Kimi Antonelli and George Russell). And it's super exciting. And at the same time, personally, we wish Lewis all the best and that he is happy. And maybe a car that's not so fast. But despite everything, it was a decision he made. And we agree with that. »
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