Toto Wolff relief as Lewis Hamilton finally banishes bad luck blues

Hamilton in Canada — Photo: © LAT Images

Mercedes

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Toto Wolff relief as Lewis Hamilton finally banishes bad luck blues

Hamilton claimed first podium since Bahrain season opener

Sam Hall

Monday 20 June 2022 01:05

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff hailed Lewis Hamilton's return to the F1 podium after the seven-time champion finished third in the Canadian Grand Prix.

Hamilton has been bereft of good fortune this season due to unfortunately timed safety cars costing him points and potential podiums on a number of occasions.

After pitting during an early virtual safety car period, a second interruption appeared to have handed his Mercedes team-mate George Russell the advantage.

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But with degradation levels higher than expected and second stops required, the 37-year-old returned to the front.

Asked how pleasing it was to see Hamilton back on the podium for the first time since the season opener in Bahrain, Wolff explained: "There were a lot of races that worked against him where he could have scored a podium or a much better result.

"It was not his wrongdoing but bad luck, and seeing him now on the positive side and being on the podium without anything being gifted, that is good to see."

Mercedes 'far from our expectations'

Mercedes' struggles this season have been well documented as the team has battled to get on top of its W13s bouncing and porpoising.

But although the Silver Arrows leave Canada just 40 points shy of second-placed Ferrari in the constructors' championship, Wolff conceded there is still a long way to go before the team can battle for wins.

"We are all very happy," added Wolff. "We have scored five podiums this year and we have seen glimpses of the performance that we have, but it is far away from our own expectations of ourselves.

"You need to take a podium as a good result, especially on merit, and I am happy for Lewis because he was really disadvantaged in some of the races where the safety car went against him.

"So, everybody is in a good space but there is still lots of work to do."