Mercedes’ Executive Director, Toto Wolff, defends Lewis Hamilton after a troubled Hungarian Grand Prix last weekend, but admits his team didn’t deserve a podium finish.
When asked by Stuttgarter Nachrichten whether his performance questioned the worth of his success, Toto replied: “Lewis only about 24 hours earlier showed an outstanding qualifying, all were enthusiastic about his ability. In the race, a lot went wrong. But please do not therefore assume now that he now has a problem.”
The reigning world champion has claimed an impressive 9 pole positions out of 10 races and is only one away from claiming the 2nd Pole Trophy.
Asked whether the hot temperatures affected the Silver Arrows’ pace, Wolff explained: “For Nico’s car that may have played a role. Lewis was strong in traffic, he often had to attack. Lewis had, as I said before, the speed to go well. Therefore, he has apologized to all team members.”
Hungary was Mercedes’ first non-podium finish since Brazil 2013.
“We had a new situation at Brackley. For the speech at 2 pm, we have for every race on Monday in front of our 800 employees, the process was an unaccustomed. Normally, we have the staff take pictures with the trophies. Now that was not the case because we were, for the first time since 2013, not represented on the podium.”
Images courtesy of Mercedes AMG Petronas
