After Mercedes’ struggles in 2022, Toto Wolff was asked how much his first winless season in Formula One had hurt. Wolff also believes Lewis Hamilton “has a few good years left”
by Adam Williams
Last update: 01/11/22 18:11
Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has dismissed the notion that he was “hurt” by an uncompetitive Formula One season in 2022, but admitted his anger at the “simply wrong” decisions made by the team this year.
Mercedes has been trying to close the gap to its rivals in a season plagued by aerodynamic problems stemming from the car’s extreme design.
While the Silver Arrows are closer to the top with two consecutive podium finishes, they have hinted at victory, with Lewis Hamilton lamenting Mercedes’ failure to split strategy at last weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix.
Wolff, who led the Mercedes team to 15 of the 16 teams’ and drivers’ championships between 2014 and 2021, was asked if the still-winless 2022 season “harmed” him.
“Hurt? Not at all,” Wolff told the Performance People podcast.
“I’ve had times in my life where I’ve been hurt, it’s more of an annoyance.”
“It bothers me and all of us on the team that we made decisions that were just wrong.”
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Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff believes the FIA was right to penalize Red Bull for breaching the cost cap, with the team receiving a $7 million fine and a 10 per cent reduction in tunnel time. wind.
Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff believes the FIA was right to penalize Red Bull for breaching the cost cap, with the team receiving a $7 million fine and a 10 per cent reduction in tunnel time. wind.
Mercedes has been fighting over the new 2022 regulations with its radical concept car, which has led to problems with ‘porpoises’, jumping and high drag at top speed.
Recent races in the United States and Mexico have shown signs of improvement, with Hamilton finishing second on consecutive occasions. Given the way Mercedes has recovered, Wolff stressed the importance of not taking the loss personally.
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Ted Kravitz recalls an action-packed Mexico City Grand Prix.
Ted Kravitz recalls an action-packed Mexico City Grand Prix.
“Do you remember the learning process going at the rate it could have been? Probably yes, but you set your own expectations for yourself and not meeting them is just annoying,” Wolff said.
“But it is important not to have rights. We don’t have that on the team. It’s basically a professional situation. It’s not a personal situation.”
Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff
Wolff was also asked about how to deal with Hamilton’s expectations. The team boss reiterated his view that Hamilton can continue into his 40s, just like NFL star Tom Brady.
Hamilton, 37, confirmed last week that he intends to extend his current contract with Mercedes, which expires at the end of the 2023 season, by “several years”.
“Lewis is absolutely mature and aware of where he is in his career,” Wolff said.
“He doesn’t let his emotions get the better of him like I’ve seen athletes who believe it can last forever and try to hold on to it.
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To mark Black History Month, Lewis Hamilton spoke about his special meeting with Nelson Mandela.
To mark Black History Month, Lewis Hamilton spoke about his special meeting with Nelson Mandela.
He added: “You can push that durability even further through a certain lifestyle, being very disciplined.
“He knows that one day he will stop being the best. That hasn’t happened yet and he’s doing everything he can because of the way he plays and the way he lives to keep going.
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To celebrate Black History Month, British schoolchildren have thanked Lewis Hamilton for helping increase diversity in Formula One.
To celebrate Black History Month, British schoolchildren have thanked Lewis Hamilton for helping increase diversity in Formula One.
“I think he has a few good years left in him and he will be the first to say I don’t think he can play a 24-year-old player.
In November, Wolff and his Mercedes team will attempt to claim their first race wins in Brazil and Abu Dhabi, with both races televised live on Sky Sports F1.
