Despite encountering challenges at the beginning of his final season with Mercedes, Toto Wolff remains confident that Lewis Hamilton will maintain his professionalism, as he always has.
Declaring his intent even before pre-season testing commenced that this season would mark his 12th and ultimate campaign with the Silver Arrows, 2024 hasn’t unfolded as the grand finale either Hamilton or Mercedes envisioned.
Despite securing a spot on the podium during Shanghai’s Sprint race, Hamilton conceded that his grid position played a significant role, stating, “Had I started further back I would have struggled to progress.”
Nevertheless, it marked a podium finish, eliciting a smile from the seven-time World Champion, only to be followed by elimination from qualifying in the initial stages just hours later.
Hamilton’s demeanor shifted from smiles to a more resigned acceptance, as he remarked, “sh*t happens,” albeit with a wry laugh.
Although he managed to secure two points the following day in the Grand Prix, his comment about experiencing unprecedented understeer underscored the challenges Mercedes is grappling with regarding the setup of the W15.
Nevertheless, Hamilton emphasized, “We just have to keep fighting.” It is this resilient attitude from the seven-time World Champion that has earned praise from team principal Wolff.
“I think that Lewis is a pro and has behaved in that way until now, trying to keep his morale up and the morale of the team even if when the results don’t come,” he stated. “So I have no doubt that this is going to last. He has also been supportive.”
In the meantime, Nico Rosberg, Hamilton’s former teammate, has expressed his support for the Briton’s potential rebound.
With Hamilton trailing Russell by 33 points to 19 in the Drivers’ Championship, Rosberg believes that Hamilton is currently experiencing a “low” phase but is optimistic about his ability to bounce back.
“At the moment, his form is at a low point, but I still have faith in him,” Rosberg stated in an interview with Sky Deutschland.
Rosberg’s confidence in Hamilton’s resurgence bodes well for Ferrari, as they are set to have Hamilton on board next year. This transition will see the Briton celebrating his 40th birthday in his debut season with the Scuderia.
“He is the greatest of all time and will then be 40 years old,” Rosberg added. “Fernando Alonso shows that’s still possible. Ferrari is also doing well. We’ll see something good.”
