Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, has addressed recent comments made by Lewis Hamilton during the Hungarian Grand Prix weekend, which have sparked speculation about the Briton’s future in Formula 1. Hamilton expressed visible frustration after a subpar qualifying session where he landed in 12th place. The seven-time world champion openly criticized his own performance, labeling himself as “useless” and suggesting Ferrari should consider replacing him. These remarks came amid a challenging race weekend where Hamilton failed to gain any positions or points.
Following the race, Hamilton’s tone remained somber. When asked by Sky Sports F1 to clarify his Saturday remarks, he gave a vague yet telling response, alluding to internal issues. He mentioned that when something doesn’t feel right, it’s hard to ignore, and hinted at background struggles without elaborating. His emotional transparency did not go unnoticed, particularly as he continues to adjust to life at Ferrari after over a decade with Mercedes.
Wolff, who has maintained a close bond with Hamilton despite his move to Ferrari, explained that the driver’s comments were not out of character. He described Hamilton as someone who has always expressed his feelings openly. According to Wolff, Hamilton’s critical remarks were a raw and immediate reaction to a performance that didn’t meet his personal or team expectations. He added that such self-doubt has surfaced before during Hamilton’s career and is part of what makes him emotionally genuine and passionate about the sport.
Despite the rough patch, Wolff remains confident in Hamilton’s abilities and legacy. He reaffirmed that Hamilton is still the “GOAT” (Greatest of All Time) and insisted that no single bad race or underwhelming season could tarnish his legacy. When asked whether he believed Hamilton might retire, Wolff dismissed the idea, stating that the driver still has “unfinished business” in the sport. He pointed out that Hamilton has never truly adapted to the current generation of ground effect cars introduced in 2022, and that this may have contributed to his ongoing struggles.
Looking ahead, Wolff expressed optimism about Hamilton’s future, particularly with the new technical regulations and cars coming in 2026. He believes these changes will reignite Hamilton’s drive, giving him a better platform to compete. Wolff emphasized that with the right car—one that provides the feedback Hamilton needs—he is more than capable of capturing the elusive eighth world title. In Wolff’s view, the hunger is still there, and if matched with the right machinery, Hamilton can absolutely rise to the top once again.
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