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“Bulls**t for the Camera”: Guenther Steiner Calls Out Toto Wolff’s Sweet Farewell to Hamilton

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
December 17, 2024
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Hamilton Frustrated as Mercedes Upgrades ‘Make Car Slower’ After Q3 Struggles in Mexico

Formula One F1 - Mexico City Grand Prix - Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Mexico City, Mexico - October 26, 2024 Mercedes' Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff after practice REUTERS/Raquel Cunha

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Guenther Steiner, the no-nonsense former F1 team principal, isn’t buying into the emotional farewell Mercedes boss Toto Wolff delivered to Lewis Hamilton at his final race for the Silver Arrows. In classic Steiner style, he’s labeled Wolff’s words as nothing more than “bullst for the camera.”**

Hamilton, who spent 12 years with Mercedes and secured six of his seven world titles with the Brackley-based squad, was visibly emotional after his last race in Silver Arrows colors. Wolff’s radio message struck a sentimental tone, saying that if Mercedes couldn’t win in the coming seasons, he hoped it would be Hamilton taking Ferrari to the top. But Steiner? He’s having none of it.

“Oh no, he doesn’t wish that on him,” Steiner said bluntly. “That was just bullst for the camera, that was just for the camera.”**

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Steiner, known for his brutally honest takes, believes Wolff’s comments were purely for optics. According to the former Haas boss, there’s no way Wolff truly wants to see Hamilton succeed with Ferrari while Mercedes struggles. In Steiner’s view, a competitor like Wolff wouldn’t settle for second best or celebrate anyone else’s success—even if it’s Lewis Hamilton.

“No, because he didn’t win it,” Steiner elaborated. “There can be only one winner. I mean, why should he be happy, you know? He said, ‘If it is not us, it should be you.’ Yeah, for sure, but if he doesn’t win it, he doesn’t really care who wins it, in my opinion.”

A Sentimental Send-Off—or Just Strategy?

Toto Wolff’s farewell comments aimed to paint a picture of a strong, enduring bond with Hamilton—a partnership that shaped one of the most dominant eras in F1 history. Yet Steiner’s skepticism taps into the competitive reality of the sport: F1 isn’t a place for sentimentality when winning is at stake.

Mercedes’ 2024 season was far from stellar. While they managed a few race wins, the team’s overall performance was underwhelming. With Red Bull continuing to dominate and McLaren and Ferrari gaining ground, Mercedes finds itself on the back foot. For Wolff to genuinely hope Hamilton wins with Ferrari would imply a defeatist mindset—something Steiner refuses to believe.

Hamilton’s Ferrari Gamble

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari for 2025 signals one of the boldest decisions in modern F1 history. The Italian outfit, which has shown a resurgence in pace and consistency, will be hoping Hamilton’s experience and leadership can bring their first drivers’ championship since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.

Steiner’s blunt take underscores just how cutthroat the sport remains. Sentimentality might tug at the heartstrings, but at the end of the day, everyone is in F1 for one reason: to win.

The Verdict

Whether Wolff’s words were genuine or crafted for the cameras, one thing is certain: Hamilton’s move to Ferrari sets the stage for an explosive 2025 season. If Mercedes struggles to return to championship form while Hamilton thrives in red, Toto Wolff’s “sweet farewell” could come back to haunt him.

As for Steiner, he’s simply saying what everyone else might be thinking—because, in Formula 1, there’s no such thing as a graceful goodbye when championships are on the line. “Why should he be happy?” Indeed, Guenther. Indeed.

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