Toto Wolff explains his comments on Lewis Hamilton’s “lifespan”
His comments about Lewis Hamilton's "lifespan" in F1 have caused a stir. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff insists he was not implying that the seven-time world champion is in decline.
In a new book entitled Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane, Toto Wolff stated that he believed that everyone has a limited lifespan, referring to Lewis Hamilton’s unexpected decision to join Ferrari.
The boss of Mercedes claims that the comment he made about Lewis Hamilton was a little taken out of context. These remarks have been interpreted by some as a suggestion that the seven-time world champion, aged 39, may be in decline as he prepares to leave Mercedes at the end of the season.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4 before the Las Vegas Grand Prix, Toto Wolff insisted that it was not what he meant. « What I was referring to is that we all age, whether it’s behind the wheel of a car, on a field, as a manager, or as an entrepreneur », he explained.
« And that’s what I’m trying to do for myself: to understand if I’m going from excellent to good, because being just good is no longer enough in Formula 1.
« Unlike my own assessment, I think that with Lewis, we clearly see that he is always there when the car is performing well. And we have not been able to provide him with a car that would allow him to give his best. It’s a frustration that we share, both in the team and for him.
« But he remains very sharp. He is different from what he was at 20, that’s clear, but his experience and racing sense are immense. » Lewis Hamilton is going through a difficult end of the road with Mercedes, the team with which he won six of his seven world titles.
