Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff share a lighter moment during a press conference some while ago. (Getty Images)
Lewis Hamilton failed to win a record eighth F1 championship title in 2021 under controversial circumstances – Toto Wolff still reels from it.
Eighteen months after Lewis Hamilton’s loss of the 2021 championship title, Toto Wolff continues to feel the sting of it. He expresses that the championship was taken from them, making it a challenge to come to terms with.
In a scenario from two years ago, Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton engaged in an intense battle against Max Verstappen for the World title. Their rivalry included close racing and exchanging positions. As they entered the final race in Abu Dhabi, both had equal points at 369.5 each. The ultimate victor was Verstappen, having the final say in the outcome.
Verstappen emerged victorious in both the race and the championship, leading to uncertainties about Hamilton’s future participation on the grid. Despite returning in 2022, Mercedes’ performance was hampered by the altered regulations, as Formula 1 had now transitioned into the Verstappen era. Toto Wolff remains unwilling to move past the disappointment of 2021.
During an interview on BBC Radio’s Desert Island Discs, he emphasized the starting point of both drivers with equal points for the race. He maintained that the victor should be determined by the best combination of skill and machine, and in that instance, the deserving winner did not come out on top.
Under the FIA’s new leadership, a freshly elected president acknowledged the error made, attributing it to “human error.” However, this admission did not reverse the outcome, nor did it grant Mercedes the championship trophy, preventing Lewis from becoming an eight-time world champion. Since 2021, Hamilton has not clinched a victory, as the alterations in aerodynamics under the new ground effect regulations have left Mercedes lagging behind Red Bull in terms of performance.
Toto Wolff, the Mercedes boss, has emphasized his dedication to retaining Lewis Hamilton as a part of the team beyond the year 2023. Despite holding seven world championships, Hamilton is in the last year of the contract he signed back in 2021.
Conversations about a fresh contract have been in progress for numerous months. Having nurtured a strong alliance for nearly ten years, Wolff disclosed that Hamilton’s responsibilities have grown beyond merely being a driver, despite encountering some challenges during their journey together.
Wolff believes that his connection with Lewis Hamilton has transformed into an authentic friendship, characterized by mutual encounters during challenging phases and moments of victory. Their collective journey has spanned the commemoration of numerous championships and discussions that occasionally demanded complex talks. Currently, Hamilton occupies a position in Wolff’s life that surpasses that of just a driver – he’s a reliable confidant and an outstanding racing prodigy. Wolff additionally explained that their previous differences were managed in a manner similar to nurturing a tight-knit partnership.
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