Hamilton "getting better every day" - Wolff
Hamilton "getting better every day" - Wolff
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has made clear Lewis Hamilton will drive in the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix if he shakes off Covid-19.
Wolff has confirmed that Hamilton has improved over the past week since recording a positive test and will return this weekend if he shows up negative despite the stunning form of George Russell in the Sakhir GP.
"If Lewis recovers - and he is getting better every day - and he is being considered Covid-free and negative then he will be fine," explained Wolff.
“I think we need to see how well Lewis recovers, that’s the most important that he’s well and he says he’s a bit better today, he’s made a big step.
"If the test is negative, it’s his [Hamilton’s] car, and then I am sure he will drive a brilliant race. If the test in Abu Dhabi is positive then George is in the car.”
Russell put down a strong marker for the future on his maiden weekend with the team, setting the fastest times in both Friday practice sessions, finishing just 0.026 seconds behind Valtteri Bottas in qualifying before dominating the grand prix only for a pit-stop error and subsequent puncture to wreck his victory hopes.
When asked whether the Williams driver was being used as a strategic pawn in negotiations with Hamilton, who is yet to have signed a 2021 deal with the team, Wolff replied: "No, they are two different things.
"Lewis has been with the team for eight years. We have had great success in the past, he is a team member and I have said it already, none of the events will interfere or change any of our negotiations.
"That wouldn't be fair against him and it wouldn't be fair against us, because it could have gone the other way around and a race weekend where George wouldn't have been on the pace. Our negotiations go much beyond that."
Related
Change your timezone:
Latest News
Current F1 star qualifies for world championship race on two wheels
- 7 minutes ago
Ricciardo given HUGE boost after upgrade claim
- 1 hour ago
‘Absolute b******s’ - Newey’s wife SLAMS Red Bull F1 claims
- 2 hours ago
Norris INJURED at party with legendary DJ
- 3 hours ago
Newey tipped to POACH key Red Bull staff if he joins F1 rivals
- Today 18:57
F1 paddock favourite admits immense DOUBTS over Verstappen Red Bull future
- Today 17:57
Related news
Hamilton in Arsenal title wish after STUNNING revelation
Cullen relationship blossoms with new star after moving on from Hamilton
Mercedes reveal shock RED livery to celebrate historic milestone
Verstappen 'to meet Mercedes over SHOCK 2025 move as Red Bull exit clause revealed'
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