Seven-time world champion, the record holder for the most race wins in Formula One, and a true icon of the sport—these accolades only begin to capture the essence of Lewis Hamilton. The Briton is a global superstar with a lasting and profound mark on motorsport. Moreover, the 39-year-old racer created a legacy in his iconic silver-black outfit.
However, as F1 is among the most unpredictable sports, Hamilton proved it by signing a deal with Ferrari. While it left the Mercedes squad and the entire paddock in shock, the Tifosi were elated. However, despite the confusion of filling the void, Toto Wolff expects a new Mercedes era after Hamilton’s departure.
Toto Wolff Hails Hamilton As An ‘Icon’ While Mercedes Searches For A Successor
The Silver Arrows are facing a daunting task. The German Marque is looking for a replacement for a seven-time world champion. Moreover, the team has only ten Grand Prixs to find the perfect candidate for the second seat. Meanwhile, team chief Toto Wolff has praised the Briton as he prepares to leave for Italy. During an interaction with Formula.hu Wolff called Hamilton an ‘icon.’ Moreover, he claimed that Lewis’ popularity is on multiple levels, which benefits the media coverage of Formula One. Further, the Austrian executive asserted a new Mercedes era awaits after Hamilton’s departure. However, Wolff is uncertain about the future faces who will be driving the Mercedes F1 vehicle. Ultimately, he gave a mysterious reply regarding the future of the Silver Arrows.
While Toto Wolff didn’t want to make it clear, recent reports suggest Kimi Antonelli would be Mercedes’s new face. After a thorough introspection, the Silver Arrows decided to pass the baton to the Italian prodigy. Furthermore, the reports suggest the official handover ceremony will be done during the Italian GP. Moroever, another report from F1insider.com revealed a shocking fact, claiming Max Verstappen could don the black-silver racing suit by 2026. This is due to the supremacy of the Three-Pointed Star in power unit manufacturing. Therefore, if the RBR squad continues on the chaotic path, the Dutchman will not be shy about making a bold move. Subsequently, all these are speculations until an official announcement is made.
Mercedes Engineer Highlights Areas For Improvement
In recent races, George Russell won a Spielberg, and Lewis Hamilton triumphed at both Silverstone and Spa, despite Russell’s disqualification in Belgium due to his car being under the minimum weight limit. Hamilton also earned a podium finish at the Hungaroring between his victories.
Therefore, Andrew Shovlin acknowledged that Mercedes has responded well to early-season challenges, stating that the team has a clear understanding of its performance goals. Despite this progress, he identified areas where the team still needs to improve. Specifically, the W15 has shown weaknesses on rear-limited circuits, particularly in hot conditions. Shovlin noted that Mercedes is currently trailing behind rivals like McLaren and Max Verstappen in these scenarios. He highlighted that the team struggles with rear tire temperature management and is working to enhance the car’s overall base performance.
Moreover, the trackside engineer emphasized that while the team has promising ideas for improvement, translating these ideas into effective car parts requires substantial effort. The process of developing and implementing these components is ongoing, but the team remains committed to addressing these challenges to enhance their performance further.
