'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,/9j/2wBDAAYEBQYFBAYGBQYHBwYIChAKCgkJChQODwwQFxQYGBcUFhYaHSUfGhsjHBYWICwgIyYnKSopGR8tMC0oMCUoKSj/2wBDAQcHBwoIChMKChMoGhYaKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCgoKCj/wgARCAAHAAoDASIAAhEBAxEB/8QAFgABAQEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAUH/8QAFAEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA//aAAwDAQACEAMQAAAAyeWKX//EACAQAAEDBAIDAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIBAwQAERIiBVEUMYH/2gAIAQEAAT8AZjw3Tjo9EdLyh1xeQVEB2uNh999olqkOcSj7iGM7LJb4FYfm1f/EABQRAQAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD/2gAIAQIBAT8Af//EABYRAQEBAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAEAEf/aAAgBAwEBPwBXL//Z'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
F1 fans have quashed Mercedes boss Toto Wolff's claims that Lewis Hamilton's departure will not affect the team's development process.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton sent shockwaves through the racing world when he announced his departure from Mercedes. The 39-year-old driver confirmed his decision to part ways with the German outfit at the end of the season, as he looks forward to teaming up with Charles Leclerc in Maranello.
The move has undoubtedly left Mercedes in a quandary. With Hamilton's departure, the Silver Arrows are left without a teammate for George Russell for 2025. As the team continues to explore its options, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was recently questioned if the team faces difficulties in its team's developments in light of Lewis Hamilton's departure. He responded:
"The fact is that the driver's role in the development of the vehicle is always very overestimated... It's worse to lose an engineer if he goes to another team twelve months later than a driver who changes teams next week."
However, Toto Wolff's response was met with criticism among the online racing community. Reacting to his statement, one X (formerly Twitter) user commented:
"sounds like sour grapes to me. He knows George can't carry the team. I like George he is a good driver, but he isn't #1 driver type. He is more like a #2 driver like Perez. If saintz comes to merc which i doubt I bet George will find that out the hard way very quickly."
Echoing the sentiment, a second user chimed in:
"He’s fully lost the plot hasn’t he?"
Meanwhile, a third fan added:
"So would they have won all those championships without Hamilton?"
"Sad excuse of a TP," commented another user.
"Toto should be quiet and do his job," added a fifth fan.
"Toto Wolff at this rate just needs to stop talking," wrote another fan.
Toto Wolff surprised by Lewis Hamilton's "good mood" after dismal start
Upon announcing his departure from the team, Lewis Hamilton famously pledged his complete professionalism to Mercedes in his final season with the German outfit.
Fast forward to five races into the season, Hamilton continues to struggle similarly as he did for the most of last two campaigns. However, Toto Wolff has claimed his astonishment over the Briton's demeanor despite his lackluster outings.
Speaking to Servus TV after the Chinese Grand Prix, Wolff stated:
"Lewis is in a surprisingly good mood. I don't know if it's the knowledge that he will go somewhere else next year, but it's not like him at all - he's a true professional."
After five races in the 2024 season, Lewis Hamilton is ranked ninth in the drivers' standings with 19 points to his name.
