Hamilton reveals Wolff's vital Mercedes role despite F1 absence
Hamilton reveals Wolff's vital Mercedes role despite F1 absence
Lewis Hamilton has revealed that Toto Wolff has been 'a part of every single meeting' Mercedes have had over the past two race weekends, despite his physical absence.
A knee operation has seen Wolff miss both the Japanese and Qatar Grands Prix, with the Austrian expected back in the paddock for this weekend's race in Austin, Texas.
The team principal has been instrumental in creating the success that Mercedes have enjoyed in previous years, with many wondering how the team would cope without the 51-year-old's trackside influence.
Yet Hamilton has now revealed that despite being absent from the circuit, Wolff has still played a key role for the team as he continued to recover from his operation.
“Even though he’s not here in person, and he’s obviously devastated he can’t be here, he’s a part of every single meeting,” Hamilton told the media.
“He’s on the comms just like the guys back at the factory are on the comms for strategy all weekend. He is still 100% fully part, just not physically there in the country. He’s a part of those meetings, he speaks in all those meetings just as he does when he’s here.”
Hamilton: We try to make Wolff proud
“He’s worked incredibly hard to set up this team to be where it is today and he should be able to have weekends off without a problem,” the seven-time world champion added.
“He has the right to if he wanted to but it’s just because he’s recovering. I just tell him we’ll be pushing and I just always tell him don’t worry, you set up a great team, we’ll try and do you proud.”
Although Red Bull have wrapped up the constructors' championship title with five races to go, the competition for P2 is still very tight.
The Silver Arrows currently hold a 28-point lead to Ferrari in third, with Aston Martin a further 68 points behind, as McLaren round off the top five, another 11 points adrift.
Wolff will therefore be hoping that his team can put further distance between themselves and Ferrari at this weekend's US Grand Prix.
READ MORE: Wolff issues 'basics' plea to Mercedes amid Hamilton confidence issue
Related news
Wolff makes bullish Hamilton claim despite US Grand Prix disqualification
FIA steward reveals Hamilton 'slammed door' after controversial decision
Hamilton and Leclerc post same cryptic message after disqualification drama
Wolff rues Mercedes blunder before Hamilton disqualification
Most read
FIA take action after Verstappen track limits mishap
F1 News Today: FIA make changes as Mercedes receive double penalty and Horner curses bad luck
Red Bull to replace driver at Abu Dhabi Grand Prix
Stroll issues Alonso Aston Martin contract verdict
Horner takes aim at Kravitz with savage jibe at Sky Sports pundit
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Nyck De Vries
- Liam Lawson
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2023
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of Australia 2023
- Grand Prix of China 2023
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2023
- Miami Grand Prix 2023
- Qatar Airways Gran Premio Del Made In Italy E Dell'emilia Romagna 2023
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2023
- AWS Gran Premio de España 2023
- Grand Prix du Canada 2023
- Grand Prix of Austria 2023
- Aramco Grand Prix of Great Britain 2023
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2023
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2023
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of Italy 2023
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2023
- Grand Prix of Japan 2023
- Qatar Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of the United States 2023
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2023
- Rolex Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2023
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2023
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2023
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860