Lewis Hamilton News: F1 champion HITS BACK over Mercedes 'sabotage' allegations

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Montreal, 2024 — Photo: © IMAGO

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Hamilton HITS BACK over Mercedes 'sabotage' allegations

Lewis Hamilton has rejected claims of bias within Mercedes ahead of the Spanish GP

Kevin McKenna

Friday 21 June 2024 19:57

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Lewis Hamilton has rejected claims suggesting Mercedes are 'sabotaging' his chances of success this season.

The seven-time Formula 1 world champion has responded after an anonymous email casting the accusation was revealed last week.

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Hamilton will leave the Brackley-based outfit at the end of this campaign to join Ferrari, signalling the end of what has been a successful 12-year spell with the team.

The Brit has been replaced by Max Verstappen as the sport's dominant force in recent years, and hasn't tasted victory since triumphing at the 2021 Saudi Arabia Grand Prix.

His struggles have continued in 2024, with the 39-year-old frequently airing his frustrations - alongside team-mate George Russell - regarding his car's performance.

Hamilton currently sits eighth in the drivers' standings, but is heading into this weekend's race in Barcelona off the back of an impressive fourth-place finish in Canada.

Lewis Hamilton will move to Ferrari next season

George Russell and Hamilton have struggled for form in 2024

Bias claims rejected

Last week, an email was sent to figures across the F1 paddock, claiming some were 'unhappy about the systematic sabotaging of Lewis, his car, his tyre strategy, his race strategy, his mental health', as reported by The Guardian.

The Independent have reported that Mercedes do not believe the email originated within from within their team.

In a fresh twist, reports have emerged courtesy of Formula 1 correspondent Alan Baldwin that despite being on the initial recipient list, he could not see it in 'any basket, junk or otherwise', adding that his is not an isolated case.

Hamilton - who has previously hinted at favouritism within the squad - dismissed the accusations at a press conference prior to this weekend's race, adding that he had not seen the email in question.

“There are always things that can be better within a team and that comes through conversations, through communication, and that’s what we’re consistently working on,” he said.

"“But we’re all in the same boat, we’re all working hard together and we all want to finish on a high. We owe that to our long-term relationship.”