The boss of Mercedes, Toto Wolffdelivered a scathing response to conspiracy theorists accusing the team of sabotage Lewis Hamilton as the seven-time world champion's relationship with the Silver Arrows comes to an end. Wolff dismissed the baseless allegations as “nonsense” perpetrated by “idiots” on social media.
The storm on social networks
Hamilton's performance below expectations during the Qatar Grand Prixmarked by a puncture, a lack of pace and a pit stop penalty, has revived long-standing conspiracy theories. A vocal section of fans suggested Mercedes was intentionally compromising Hamilton's car to favor his teammate George Russell.
Wolff wasted no time denouncing the allegations:
“I never read the comments. I just hear nonsense popping up. You're behind a screen, open an account, and then you post these comments. Who even has time to comment?”
“We love our fans, but the ones who create crazy, made-up conspiracy theories—I don’t even mind. They’re just idiots.”
A History of Baseless Allegations
This is not the first time that Mercedes has faced such accusations. Earlier in the year, after Spanish Grand Prixan anonymous email circulated alleging sabotage against Hamilton. Mercedes responded with outrage, even threatening legal action. Ironically, Hamilton finished this weekend on the podium.
Wolff reiterated his disdain for conspiracy theorists:
“These people have no understanding and have probably never set foot in a racing car, even a normal car. My message to them: 'No one reads what you write.' You hide behind a screen, writing for yourself and a few other crazy people.”
Hamilton's Difficulties in 2024
Hamilton's pace compared to Russell in 2024 has been particularly inconsistent. The qualifying stats tell the story: 18-5 in favor of Russell for the Grands Prix and 5-1 in Sprints. Qatar was a particularly difficult weekend, with Hamilton needing to be persuaded by his race engineer to continue after a series of setbacks.
Despite the challenges, Wolff chose to focus on the positives:
“We had an incredible partnership for 20 years. Eight Manufacturers' Championships, six Drivers' titles, and something like 80 race victories. That’s what matters.”
A Last Race and a Legacy to Celebrate
With just one race remaining before Hamilton moves to FerrariWolff highlighted the team's determination to finish on a positive note:
“These last races have not lived up to our expectations. But we will give our best, and we will celebrate the incredible relationship we had. These few races will quickly be forgotten.”
As Mercedes prepares for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Wolff remains steadfast in his support for Hamilton, brushing aside the ambient noise and focusing on celebrating a partnership that defined an era in Formula 1.
