Toto Wolff sides with George Russell in Lewis Hamilton celebration gaffe – “It’s a real shame for us”

The Australian Grand Prix was an exceptionally chaotic affair, with three red flags being brought out during the race.

Naturally, it led to widespread criticism from a number of fans, but perhaps the most bizarre incident that took place was seeing Lewis Hamilton completely alone in his celebrations after a P2 finish.

Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso. Credit: autocar.com
Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen and Fernando Alonso. Credit: autocar.com

This was Hamilton’s first podium of the season and the seven-time champion, who has enjoyed rich support from the Silver Arrows in the past, seemed an isolated figure following the race.

Max Verstappen eventually won the Grand Prix, as Fernando Alonso continued his impressive start to the season with another podium finish.

Both of these drivers had their respective teams celebrate the result, but Lewis, who recently confirmed his decision to end a seven-year association with Angela Cullen, was not greeted by the Mercedes crew.

It prompted the Stevenage-born driver to simply say “Where the f*** is my team?”.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has been one of Hamilton’s biggest supporters in the past, but even he did not seem excited enough to celebrate the success.

“I don’t know what [this P2] means to the team because I haven’t seen anybody, if I’m honest. But, for me, this is an incredible result for us,” Hamilton had said after the race.

Mercedes was naturally annoyed after seeing George Russell bow out due to a sudden power failure.

Had that not have happened, Wolff believes Russell would have gone on to win the race.

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. Credit: planetf1.com
Lewis Hamilton and George Russell. Credit: planetf1.com

“He was leading the race fair and square with a great start and we went on to a bold strategy that involved us pitting early for the Hard,” Wolff said.

“I think it could have probably won the race for him.

“We were very much at the front and so it’s a shame first with the red flag and then with the engine damage.”

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