Lewis Hamilton defended Toto Wolff from recent criticism, saying that his way of being is key to the team.
Wolff has been making headlines for all the wrong and funny reasons lately. His off-track controversies have garnered massive criticism, with prominent F1 figures accusing him of pettiness and trying to steal the spotlight.
In Brazil, the Austrian flipped the FIA off by gesticulating to the camera following a stunning Hamilton comeback. That was a direct jab at the stewards, who had handed the seven-time world champion a penalty he didn’t approve of.
Hamilton defended Wolff from recent criticism, and said that his way of functioning was successful, if a little theatrical.
“I haven’t really noticed anything unusual. We are competitors,” Hamilton said, as quoted by GP Fans.
“I love seeing Toto’s fighting spirit, it makes me so happy. There is a shot I saw from the last race (in Brazil) and it just made me laugh inside, it was so good.
“If he cared less and was just chill, I don’t know… that fire and passion is a part of our infrastructure, our ecosystem and it trickles down from him.”
Leading by example
The Mercedes driver also hailed his team principal for his leadership and commanding power, and stated that he pushes everyone at the team to give their best every race weekend.
“He is the leader of the team and you want that in your boss, someone who is out there pushing and chasing every millisecond and with you along the way,” he continued.
“I love that he stands for what he thinks is right, we have grown hugely together, closer over these years, as we will continue to do.”
Wolff has overseen seven consecutive double titles arrive at Mercedes in his time with the team. If gesticulation and meme faces constitute the price he has to pay for success, he will not be too bothered.
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