Mercedes F1 Boss Toto Wolff Responds To Lewis Hamilton Call Out Over Equipment

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As Lewis Hamilton‘s legendary run with the Mercedes F1 team draws to a close, it appears he’s not afraid to ruffle some feathers on the way out.

Hamilton called out the team following qualifying for the Monaco Grand Prix last weekend, stating that the team was favoring teammate George Russell.

Now Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has offered a response, and it may not be what Hamilton wants to hear.

“I anticipated it would be difficult to outqualify George because he has the upgraded component, but it’s great to see we are bringing upgrades,” Hamilton said following qualifying. ” … I don’t anticipate being ahead of George in Qualifying this year.”

When asked why, Hamilton said only “We will see.”

Are Mercedes prioritizing Russell, who will remain with the team next year and likely for the long term?

Wolff says that the team is “trying to maximize the results for Hamilton’s final season.”

“All drivers are a bit skeptical at times,” he told Sky Sports. “I think as a team, we have demonstrated even in the most tense competitions between team-mates that we are trying to always balance it right and be transparent and fair,”

“But I can understand as a driver, you want the best out of yourself and the team, and sometimes when it’s going against you, you can question it. But as a team, we’re 100 percent on a mission of giving the two drivers the best possible cars and best possible strategies and support.”

Wolff says he and the team are playing it down the middle. But Hamilton seems skeptical.

Russell currently sits seventh in the Formula 1 drivers championship with 54 points, one spot and 12 points ahead of Hamilton. Mercedes, meanwhile, has struggled on the whole to keep up with reigning champion Red Bull and fellow powerhouses Ferrari and McLaren, who sit second and third respectively in the constructors standings.