Toto Wolff says that the winter in preparation for the 2018 season is less stressful than it was twelve months ago. Last year, F1 was preparing itself for a major aerodynamic rule change, while Mercedes also had to find a replacement for Nico Rosberg.
"It's definitely less stressful than last year," the Mercedes boss said. "But who knows what's coming in the next few days. You never know what Lewis is thinking," he laughed
Hamilton has been making headlines recently after he deleted all of his social media content. Despite the increased press, Wolff remains happy with Hamilton, who wrapped up his fourth drivers' title in 2017.
"His performance was unbelievable and he does not lack motivation even after four championships. I feel like he's seeing that Michael Schumacher's seven titles are within reach and we'll do everything we can to give him the car to do that," he said.
Wolff also commented on Niki Lauda's decision to quit his role as an F1 expert for German TV: "It was a very personal decision and his role on the Mercedes supervisory board had nothing to do with it," he said. "But the good thing for us is that he now has more time, although in the past he was always the first into the paddock. When Niki gets to the motor home, the cleaners are normally still at work."
Fergal Walsh
I love Lewis the driver. But the off-track persona is so revolting. Look at him in the picture above... at a gala dressed like a f***ing clown.
I don't like his adopted style, but anything's better than another penguin :)
Agree, also, I distinctly recall a general clamour to get rid of the robotic and lets have some personality .....rock on Lewis.....but get a PR person, make less crass comments......in any other era LH would have won Britain's annual Sports Personality of the Year (BBC), instead he was narrowly beaten to third place - just shows that he has too many people think he's a little annoying..... That all said - he wins races and winning races is all that the record books will show when we are all dead - this year I think he will match Fangio - who know's what happens after that - but one thing's for sure, he has earned the right to dress whatever way he wants in my book !
No doubt on his racing ability. I think that people find his perzonality annoying because it's not genuine. He comes across as someone who spends a lot of time worrying about their image and brand. Not a lot of candid pictures in social media. He is trying so hard to be like American A-List celebrities with the good and the bad. At the same time, we a remember the way he used to be, a down to earth, humble guy, who did have a warm personality, etc. I second the clamor for less robotic personalities, but genuine and candid will always beat and rehearses brand-managed artificial persona.
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Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
ajpennypacker
Posts: 2,475
I love Lewis the driver. But the off-track persona is so revolting. Look at him in the picture above... at a gala dressed like a f***ing clown.