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Wolff reveals Hamilton’s Mercedes ‘management’ role

Wolff reveals Hamilton’s Mercedes ‘management’ role

Wolff reveals Hamilton’s Mercedes ‘management’ role

Sam Hall
Wolff reveals Hamilton’s Mercedes ‘management’ role

Toto Wolff has revealed he now views Lewis Hamilton as part of the Mercedes F1 management after a decade with the team.

The seven-time champion joined Mercedes alongside Wolff in 2013, since adding six drivers' titles, while also playing a significant role in the Silver Arrows' record-breaking run of eight consecutive constructors' crowns.

But as Mercedes endured a torrid season this term, Hamilton's management skills caught Wolff's eye, in particular, his ability to galvanise a team when the on-track performances were below par.

Asked if he now sees Hamilton as part of the management structure, speaking to the 'Beyond the Grid' podcast, Mercedes team principal Wolff said: "I would say so, yes.

"Obviously, there is his involvement in developing the car and his presence in the factory.

"But I think that on the race weekends he has become such a senior figure, maybe a little bit like Michael [Schumacher] was back in the day or Tom Brady, that you become more than just a player or just the driver.

"You are emotionally part of the team and he definitely is.

"He's not, like we called them in the past, a contractor. Drivers come, get paid and leave for the next better occasion.

"But he has been with the team now for 10 years. He is a team member."

Hamilton skills a first for Wolff

This season was Hamilton's first without either a race win or pole position.

Despite the Briton previously claiming the continuation of his former unique record was of little consequence to him, Wolff said of Hamilton's campaign: "[It was] extremely tough because we gave him a tool that wasn't capable of winning.

"And on top of that, the drivers had a car that was unpredictable, unstable, good at times and not good at others. It was not really something that you could work with and develop.

"But as a personality, how he has gone through the season is really admirable. There were times when the team felt down because of the non-performance and Lewis picked the people up and motivated them.

"That is truly management and personality traits that I have not seen with a professional sportsman before."

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