Hamilton praises 'amazing' Wolff amid Mercedes’ slump

Lewis Hamilton has praised Toto Wolff for the Austrian's leadership qualities at the Mercedes Formula 1 team.

Both Hamilton and Wolff joined Mercedes in 2013 and have enjoyed substantial success together, with Hamilton taking six World Championships with the team.

Mercedes won each Constructors' Championship on offer from 2014 to 2021 under the guidance of Wolff but the team has taken a step back in the pecking order since the start of last year.

New technical regulations introduced in 2022 have seen Red Bull dominate en route to back-to-back double championship success while Mercedes has won just a singular Grand Prix in the last 44 races.

Speaking to select media including RacingNews365.com Toto Wolff asserted that he has no thoughts of walking away from Mercedes amid its dip in form.

Hamilton outlined that Wolff is keeping spirits high at the team during its difficult period.

“Toto is an amazing leader, I’ve known him for a long time. We joined the team at the same time.

“It’s been an interesting journey for both of us to both grow with the team, to see his vision grow and progress within the structure of the team.”

No lost competitiveness

As Wolff attempts to steer Mercedes out of its current slump, Hamilton declared that his competitive edge hasn't dwindled.

“He hasn't lost an ounce of his competitiveness,” Hamilton said. “He’s massively competitive.

“You see it on TV when you sit down at his little desk in the garage and is trying to find a balance in life of work life and family life. I think he's done a really great job there.

“[He's] just continuing to push everyone. He’s a very, very approachable leader, people can relate to him, to his emotions to his compassion and his drive.

“He’s very understanding. And I think it's definitely not been easy for anybody in the team when you're not working towards something, but it's not quite going the way you want it.

“I think there's been a lot of lessons and I've been really proud to see the progress that he's made just as an individual and as a human being as well.”