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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes the strategy given to Lewis Hamilton was the best one to help him surge through the back. The Austrian felt that the Brit’s performance was attributed to the flaws of their car performance.
Hamilton told Sportskeeda after the race that despite choosing the soft tyre to start on, it was the hardest tyre of the race. Adding to it, he mentioned that the tyre pressures in the race made it difficult to optimize the final stint.
Wolff felt that in theory, the Brit started on the right strategy, but their car was to blame. He felt that their car performance wasn’t enough to allow the driver to generate enough grip. The multiple world champion was heard complaining on his radio about the tyre being the worst one on the track.
Given the results of Lewis Hamilton in 2024, the Mercedes boss was quizzed on whether their car performance was enough to boost his morale in his last year with the team. Wolff felt that the seven-time world champion was a professional who maintained his own morale and that of the team.
Speaking to media, including Sportskeeda, Wolff clarified the soft tyre strategy for Lewis Hamilton, saying:
"No. I think on paper, starting with the soft gave him, you know, the theory said he should have a strong start with a softer up rubber and the grip just wasn't there in the soft. I would more put it down to our own performance, but that we couldn't really make the steps that we expected and obviously then it becomes very difficult."
Commenting on the morale of Lewis Hamilton in 2024, the Mercedes boss added:
"I think that Lewis is a pro and has behaved in that way until now, trying to keep his morale up and the morale of the team, even if the results don't come. So I think I have no doubt that this is going to last. He's been also supporting when George was going better away."
Toto Wolff believes Mercedes is an exciting prospect to Max Verstappen despite current performance
Mercedes Executive Director Toto Wolff believes that despite their current car performance and results, Mercedes is an attractive prospect for Max Verstappen. He felt that drivers like the reigning champion are looking for more than just a quick car.
The 52-year-old believes that the drive market hinges upon the decision Verstappen makes in the near future. Currently, the Dutchman has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2028.
Asked how Mercedes' current performance would help them recruit Verstappen as their driver, Wolff said:
"As for Max, there are so many factors that play a role for a driver joining. Clearly when you look at it from the most rational point of view you can say, ‘Well, that's the quickest car in the hands of the quickest driver.'"
"But I don't think that this is the only reason you stay where you are. I think for lets say simple minds, that might be the only reason why you stay in a car and that's it. But maybe there’s more depths that some people consider other factors too, and I think that Max has that," he added.
Wolff continued:
"In that respect, are we here to convince him? I don't think it's a matter of convincing. I think that Max knows motor racing better than anyone and he will take decisions that he feels are good for him and I think a few factors play a role. But he’s the one that's gonna trigger some more domino stones to fall afterwards. But everybody is waiting on what he’s going to do."
The Mercedes boss has generated more speculation with this statement because until now the Red Bull camp and Verstappen himself have denied all the rumors on several occasions.
After the internal political struggle at the Milton Keynes squad, it seemed as though the Dutch champion was unhappy with the team. However, he has been ambiguous with his statements or left open-ended statements subject to interpretation.
An example that has fueled some of the speculation has been Lewis Hamilton moving to Ferrari, not long after signing a contract with Mercedes until the end of 2026. With silly season in its early stages, the speculation has been rife in the driver's market and Verstappen has been considered a free agent for 2024 and beyond.
