Toto Wolff claims the ultimate three underwhelming seasons of Lewis Hamilton’s tenure at Mercedes is not going to undermine his earlier glory.
Hamilton has racked up six of his seven F1 drivers’ championships in an iconic stint at Mercedes, which can conclude on the finish of this season.
In 2025 Hamilton hopes to reinvigorate his F1 title hopes by transferring to Ferrari.
However Mercedes boss Wolff denied that three years of below-par equipment might “overshadow” their legendary driver’s time on the staff.
“It is essentially the most aggressive motorsport on the earth and we had been fortunate and blessed with profitable eight consecutive World Championship titles,” he mentioned.
“That wasn’t accomplished earlier than in every other sport. And Lewis gained seven drivers’ championships.
“You can’t extrapolate from that that you’ll win without end or that you just’re within the hunt for each single championship. That does not occur.
“And the regs had been modified twice and we maintained the extent of efficiency and gained championships.
“After which we have simply been caught out by these new laws in 2022. Till at the moment, we’re simply not in a position to put regular efficiency on the automobile and supply the drivers with one thing that’s predictable, that has sufficient downforce, that does not bounce or hop, that rides the place the journey is suitable, the place the tyre degradation could be managed in the proper approach and never be too chilly or too sizzling.
“And that’s how sport goes. That is very straightforward.
“A basketballer was requested whether or not he felt that his season was a failure. And he mentioned Michael Jordan performed 12 seasons within the NBA and he gained six. Does that imply that the entire thing was a failure? Have been the opposite six a failure?
“We have been collectively 12 years now on this championship, and we have now gained eight. Are the opposite ones a failure?
“We completed third two years in the past, we completed second final yr, taking into account we’ve not gained a race, and we gained three this yr.
“So that’s not all a failure. That was a fairly good spell for Mercedes and for Lewis.
“And we will probably be attempting to do it higher. We are attempting to do it higher each single day, each single weekend. And the identical will probably be subsequent season after which the massive one in ‘26.”
‘We want Lewis the very best – and a automobile that is not quick’
Hamilton returned to profitable methods this yr, with victory on the F1 British Grand Prix his first since 2021.
Pink Bull took over from Abu Dhabi 2021, however Mercedes have additionally lagged behind McLaren and Ferrari this yr.
Hamilton has solely three grands prix remaining in a Mercedes earlier than he will probably be decked out in pink.
Wolff insisted there haven’t but been emotional goodbyes: “I believe we’re nonetheless working the season. So the weekends really feel like they felt earlier than.
“You realize, these conferences the place long-term improvement is being mentioned, they do not occur so usually and we did not have them for the previous few months. So it is just about customary as it’s.
“There is no such thing as a overwhelming emotion now that that is ending, however I am certain the nearer it will come to Abu Dhabi and the final periods, the final race collectively will probably be fairly a factor as a result of we had this excellent partnership for such a very long time.
“However having mentioned that, Lewis will not be going to vanish. Lewis goes to be on the grid subsequent yr with a Ferrari.
We aren’t shedding the individual, we’re simply shedding the motive force.
“However we embark on a brand new future. Now we have an 18-year-old and a 27-year-old which can be going to be our drivers. And that’s tremendous thrilling.
“And on the identical time, personally, we want Lewis all the very best and happiness. And perhaps a automobile that is not so quick.
“However however, it’s a resolution he took. And we’re OK with that.”
Mercedes will pair George Russell with rookie Kimi Antonelli subsequent yr.
