Hamilton could lose title on 'freak incidents'
Hamilton could lose title on 'freak incidents'
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff is not allowing himself to think about the celebrations if Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton win the constructors' and drivers' championship as he is wary that "freak incidents" such as DNFs and crashes could potentially turn things back Ferrari's way.
With four races to go in both championships, Mercedes lead Ferrari by 78 points and Hamilton leads Sebastian Vettel by 67 points, and although it is still mathematically possible for the Scuderia to rally and win the title, it would take a monumental shift in points.
However, Wolff is still thinking of these scenarios, and is taking nothing for granted.
“The freak incidents happen everywhere,” the Mercedes team principal said.
“A DNF and the consequent bad result suddenly wipes off a large chunk of your points. I know from the probable standpoint it doesn’t look likely, but this is motor racing, it’s a sport, anything could happen.
???? F1 2017 AFTER 17 RACES ????
HAM: 331 points...
VET: 265 points...???? F1 2018 AFTER 17 RACES ????
HAM: 331 points...
VET: 264 points...#JapaneseGP ???????? #F1 pic.twitter.com/F9W8Hvgnts — Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) 9 October 2018
“I don’t want to even think about him [Hamilton] breaking a finger.
“Anything can happen in motor racing. I don’t want to dwell too much about it, because this is bad karma too, so let’s just get it done — let’s go to Austin, let’s have a strong race weekend and then hopefully see the championship.”
“Every race we are lucky enough to be in the lead, we need to decide who goes onto the podium.
The four races remaining on the F1 calendar are in the United States, Mexico, Brazil, and Abu Dhabi.
MORE: Vettel's new book: 'How to lose a world championship'
MORE: Hamilton demands respect for Vettel
Change your timezone:
Latest News
F1 Sprint Race Today: Chinese Grand Prix 2024 start times, schedule and TV
- 25 minutes ago
Wolff left FUMING with Mercedes despite amazing Hamilton lap
- 55 minutes ago
Verstappen admits Red Bull 'DESERVED' horror China qualifying
- 1 hour ago
F1 News Today: Verstappen suffers MAJOR China defeat as F1 star LOSES pole after FIA intervention
- 2 hours ago
FIA announce crucial top three UPDATE in China after investigating F1 star
- 2 hours ago
Hamilton DELIGHTED with Mercedes pace after China masterclass - Top three verdict
- 3 hours ago
F1 Standings
Drivers
- Oliver Bearman
- Charles Leclerc
- Carlos Sainz
- Lando Norris
- Oscar Piastri
- Pierre Gasly
- Esteban Ocon
- Sergio Pérez
- Max Verstappen
- Alexander Albon
- Logan Sargeant
- Lewis Hamilton
- George Russell
- Nico Hülkenberg
- Kevin Magnussen
- Fernando Alonso
- Lance Stroll
- Valtteri Bottas
- Zhou Guanyu
- Daniel Ricciardo
- Yuki Tsunoda
Races
- Gulf Air Grand Prix of Bahrain 2024
- Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Australia 2024
- MSC Cruises Grand Prix of Japan 2024
- Grand Prix of China 2024
- Miami Grand Prix 2024
- Gran Premio dell'Emilia Romagna 2024
- Grand Prix of Monaco 2024
- Grand Prix du Canada 2024
- Gran Premio de España 2024
- Grand Prix of Austria 2024
- Grand Prix of Great Britain 2024
- Grand Prix of Hungary 2024
- Grand Prix of Belgium 2024
- Heineken Dutch Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Italy 2024
- Grand Prix of Azerbaijan 2024
- Grand Prix of Singapore 2024
- Grand Prix of the United States 2024
- Gran Premio de la Ciudad de Mexico 2024
- Grande Prêmio de São Paulo 2024
- Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix 2024
- Qatar Grand Prix 2024
- Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi 2024
About GPFans
GPFans is a multi-platform, multi-language brand dedicated to Formula One coverage. We bring you all the ins and outs of the sport, 24/7, everything from up-to-the-minute news and features to the latest viral stories and clips.We believe that a new generation of exciting, outspoken drivers will make F1 more popular than ever before, and we want to give our users access to as much of their heroes as possible, on and off the track. From Lewis Hamilton to Max Verstappen, Daniel Ricciardo to Sebastian Vettel, we provide in-depth analysis of every every Grand Prix in the season, from Australia to Abu Dhabi.
With Formula One under the new ownership of Liberty Media, how the sport is being covered is evolving, and GPFans will look to be at the heart of this progression into new media, as one of the fastest-growing sites covering the king of motorsports.
Follow us on your favorite social media channel
Corporate & Media
Innovatieweg 20C7007 CD, Doetinchem, Netherlands
+31645516860