Lewis Hamilton is clearly facing problems with the new Mercedes 2023 W14 car. And unfortunately, these problems are something that can’t be solved “quickly,” as the boss, Toto Wolff, admits. So all the claims and expectations about an early comeback for Mercedes must go in vain. Now, not only fans but also their seven-time world champion is getting frustrated about what is happening in the Brackley factory.
After securing an eighth position in the qualifying sessions of the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, Lewis asserted, “I struggled today.” Indeed, he did, and the boss knows it very well. That is why the Mercedes-AMG-Petronas’ CEO had to come forward to explain how long this misery will persist. So, for how long will Hamilton not get the car he demands, and when will his issues be solved? Keep reading to find out.
“We Will Listen To The Drivers,” Reckons Boss Toto Wolff
Recently, after the season opener, the Briton finally realized that his promise of getting a solid car is not fulfilled yet. When Lewis Hamilton found balancing issues in the brand-new Mercedes black livery, he could only get a P5 in Bahrain and also faced the humiliation of getting overpassed by Aston Martin. As a result, a little outburst was also hinted at in Hamilton’s statements after the huge disappointment.
He was upset with the fact that Mercedes didn’t listen to him when he advised something to the team last year. Following this, Toto Wolff emerged to order his team to listen to the remarks coming from Lewis Hamilton about the new car. Based on what the 103 GP winner suggests, Mercedes will bring changes to the W14.
However, according to Toto Wolff, “the issues can’t be cured quickly.” He even explained the exact area where Hamilton is struggling the most. Wolff said, “There is a fundamental issue in the car with which Lewis is not happy. And that is connected to where he finds the rear end of the car.”
As quoted by RacingNews365.com, Wolff revealed how the team is planning to work on solving those issues. The CEO of Mercedes believes that the drivers of a team play the major role of a sensor. They know better what the car needs. And “if they tell us that, we [the team] need to consider it,” he said.
Wolff Has No Problem With Red Bull’s Dominance
Meanwhile, speaking of the rival team Red Bull, which is absolutely dominating the season once again, Wolff has no problem. He thinks that the wins and losses are all about meritocracy. The Mercedes star, Lewis Hamilton, himself appreciated Red Bull for the fastest F1 car ever they made. Toto Wolff knows what it feels to be a consecutive winner. That is why he supports Red Bull and advises them not to listen to the voices who claim that a team’s superiority for a long time decreases fans’ attention.
Believing in what is fair, Wolff considers its wins for Red Bull because the team is really working hard. “If the same guys win all the time, it means that they have done a great job while others failed to do it properly,” he mentioned to Sky Sports. The commercial economy of Formula One may get affected by the constant dominance of Red Bull. But the deserving should win no matter what, which Red Bull is. “This is what makes Formula One special,” said Toto Wolff.