Toto Wolff says his comments about Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes did not reflect the seven-time world champion losing any of his ability to win in Formula 1.
A new Mercedes book – titled ‘Life in the Fast Lane’ – featured Wolff explaining the timing of Hamilton’s decision to move to Ferrari and how it left him no time to react. Wolff added that he liked the situation it left him in, though, adding: “There’s a reason why we only signed a one-plus-one-year contract.
“We’re in a sport where cognitive sharpness is extremely important, and I believe everyone has a shelf life. So I need to look at the next generation.”
However, the Mercedes team principal insists he was not directly referencing Hamilton and his current performance level, and that he believes the 39-year-old is still able to produce his best performances if given the machinery.
“You know that was taken a little bit out of context,” Wolff told BBC Radio 4. “What I was referring to was that all of us age, whether it is in a car, on a pitch, or as a manager or entrepreneur. And that is what I am trying to do with myself, understand, ‘Am I going from great to good?’ Because good is not in Formula 1 anymore.
“Now contrary to my own self-assessment, I think we see with Lewis that he’s very much there when the car is right. And we haven’t been able to give him that car to perform his best, and that is a frustration that we share equally in the team, and for himself.
“But he’s very sharp. He’s different to when he was a 20-year-old, that’s certainly clear. But his experience and his race craft is tremendous.”
Heading into the final triple-header of the season, starting with this weekend’s Las Vegas Grand Prix, Wolff added he is still challenging Mercedes to deliver a positive send-off for Hamilton as it looks to recover from a tough run of races in Austin, Mexico City and Sao Paulo.
“We are focused on ending this year as strongly as possible and providing some more highlights as we close out 2024. We are looking forward to the races ahead, to ending our incredible journey with Lewis on a high and to building momentum for 2025.”
