Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has delivered a scathing response to conspiracy theorists accusing the team of sabotaging Lewis Hamilton as the seven-time world champion’s relationship with the Silver Arrows nears its conclusion. Wolff dismissed the baseless claims as “nonsense” perpetuated by “idiots” on social media.
The Social Media Firestorm
Hamilton’s subpar performance at the Qatar Grand Prix, marked by a puncture, a lack of pace, and a drive-through penalty, reignited long-standing conspiracy theories. A vocal segment of fans suggested that Mercedes was intentionally compromising Hamilton’s car to favor teammate George Russell.
Wolff wasted no time in blasting these claims:
“I’ve never read the comments. I just hear that nonsense appears. You have yourself behind a screen, open up an account, and then you put these comments. Who even has the time to comment?”
“We love our fans, but the ones creating crazy, made-up conspiracies—it doesn’t even bother me. They’re just idiots.”
A History of Baseless Allegations
This isn’t the first time Mercedes has faced such accusations. Earlier in the year, after the Spanish Grand Prix, an anonymous email circulated alleging sabotage against Hamilton. Mercedes responded with outrage, even threatening legal action. Ironically, Hamilton ended that weekend on the podium.
Wolff reiterated his disdain for the conspiracy theorists:
“These people have no understanding and probably never put their foot in a racing car, even a normal car. My message to them: ‘Nobody’s reading what you write.’ You’re hiding behind a screen, writing for yourself and a few other lunatics.”
Hamilton’s 2024 Struggles
Hamilton’s pace compared to Russell in 2024 has been notably inconsistent. The qualifying stats tell the story: 18-5 in Russell’s favor for Grands Prix and 5-1 in Sprints. Qatar was a particularly tough weekend, with Hamilton needing to be persuaded by his race engineer to continue after a series of setbacks.
Despite the challenges, Wolff chose to focus on the positives:
“We’ve had an amazing partnership for 20 years. Eight Constructors’ Championships, six Drivers’ titles, and 80-something race wins. That’s what matters.”
One Last Race and a Legacy to Celebrate
With just one race left before Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, Wolff emphasized the team’s determination to end on a high note:
“These last few races haven’t been what we expect. But we’ll give it our utmost, and we will celebrate the incredible relationship we’ve had. These few races will be forgotten quickly.”
As Mercedes looks ahead to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Wolff remains steadfast in his support for Hamilton, brushing off the noise and focusing on celebrating a partnership that has defined an era in Formula 1.
