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Toto Wolff "in two minds" over Lewis Hamilton

Published on 28 Nov 2016 11:07
7
By: Dominik Wilde

Toto Wolff has admitted to being "in two minds" over Lewis Hamilton's driving in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The three-time world champion defied team instructions to speed up, after slowing down in an attempt to back team mate Nico Rosberg into rivals behind in a last ditch attempt to retain the title.

Hamilton's tactics left Mercedes boss Wolff with conflicting feelings.

"I'm in two minds: One half of me says undermining a structure in public means you're putting yourself before the team – that's very simple," he said. "Anarchy doesn't work in any team or any company.

"The other half says it was his only chance of winning the championship at that stage and maybe you cannot demand a racing driver to comply in a situation where his instincts did not make him comply.

The Austrian admitted that it has caused a rethink within the team, to avoid such a situation arising again.

"It's about finding a solution to solve the problem in the future because a precedent has been set," he said. "Let me sleep over that and come up with a solution tomorrow."

However, after the race, Wolff refused to rule out sanctions for Hamilton.

"This is something I will keep internal. I need to form an opinion, which I haven't yet," he admitted.

DutchTreath

Posts: 5,058

What happened to Toto's instructions before the race? "They have no instructions and are free to race" Some one is not fair in his comments after the race!!!

1
Nov 28 2016 - 13:07

F1 News Lewis Hamilton Nico Rosberg Susie Wolff Mercedes

Replies (7)

talktohenry

Posts: 362
GET REAL TOTO HE DID ZERO WRONG AND MERC WON THE RACE. YOU WON'T BE SAYING A WORD TO HIM FOR FEAR OF LOSING POSSIBLY THE GREATEST DRIVER IN HISTORY, GET REAL TOTO, YA NOT IN ANY TWO MINDS!

YOU'RE NOT IN ANY POSITION TO SANCTION LH, HE'LL JUST WALK......
- + 0
- Nov 28 2016 - 12:01
- DutchTreath
  
  Posts: 5,058
  What happened to Toto's instructions before the race? "They have no instructions and are free to race" Some one is not fair in his comments after the race!!!
  + 1
  
  Nov 28 2016 - 13:07
Wolfgang

Posts: 313
@Henry

Greatest driver in History? How old are you? 8?

You don´t understand racing so there is just no sense in discussing with you, just one sentence before i stop talking to a shouting child:

What´ve happend if Rosberg let Vettel past. You don´t think Vettel with fresh rubber could´ve make a move on Lewis?

PS: Even if Merc looses Ham -> Rosberg proved to be Champion so they won´t need Hamilton anyways because Ros showed to beat Hamilton over the year in the SAME car.
I´d love to seeing Lewis quit F1 he´s just like you a non grown up.. :-) His ugly badmouthing and silly attempts to make Rosberg weak are just ridiculous. Seem´s like he can´t help himself in other ways..
- + 0
- Nov 28 2016 - 12:34
- DutchTreath
  
  Posts: 5,058
  @Wolfgang
  
  Do you understand racing? Every one knows why Nico get his advantage in this season on Hamilton. And what is the problem with Toto, what is the problem if Mercedes lost one race? They have the world champion, they have the world champion price for the constructor tittle. What do he need more. "They have no instructions and are free to race" yeah right, my ass.
  + 1
  
  Nov 28 2016 - 13:14
- denis1304
  
  Posts: 284
  @DUTCHTREATH if Mercedes asks Nico to give up place to Lewis in Monaco, he does and Lewis wins, why didn't he respect team order now? Your memory is short and selective.
  + 1
  
  Nov 28 2016 - 14:59
- calle.itw
  
  Posts: 8,527
  Good point Denis, and it isnt the first time that Rosberg has done this.
  + 0
  
  Nov 28 2016 - 18:54
calle.itw

Posts: 8,527
Im with Mr.Wolff on this one. I understand why he did it, but it was hardly a nice thing.
- + 0
- Nov 28 2016 - 18:52