The heights that Lewis Hamilton has scaled in Formula 1 can’t be down to submissiveness and complacency. It’s no secret that his pursuit of glory has been laden with ruthlessness on and off the track. But Mercedes very quickly realized a way to channel Hamilton’s arguably demanding, nonconformist personality to turn him into a winning machine.

Lewis Hamilton hasn’t had it easy. Ever since he decided what he wanted to do with his life, he’s faced a multitude of obstacles. But he stood unfettered in the face of adversity. It’s got him championship glory and a legendary status in the sport. That being said, it has possibly affected how he is as a person now.

In 2017, Mercedes‘ communications director, Bradley Lord, told ESPN, “He’s a square peg trying to fit in a round hole. When he gives up and says he doesn’t care about fitting in that hole anymore, that winds people up.” Hamilton‘s boss, Toto Wolff however, knew exactly how to let the 7x Champion thrive.

“The minute you put him in a box and try to squeeze him into a framework of obligations, his performance is going to suffer. This is what happened at McLaren. How he’s set up, he wants to break free. Our aim is to help him perform well.”

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Wolff might know what he needs to do to keep Hamilton happy. That being said, their personalities have often clashed, as admitted by Hamilton himself. But where does that leave them in their own personal space?

Lewis Hamilton opens up about his relationship with Toto Wolff

Both Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff have a knack for victory. And it isn’t sheer dumb luck that has propelled the duo to Formula 1 glory. To win, they’ve both had to lean on their aggressive personalities. And according to the Brit, sometimes tensions flare and things go out of control.

While talking about his relationship with Wolff, Hamilton said, “We’ve had tough, tough times, we’ve had tough negotiations, there’s been emotional bursts, a rollercoaster of emotions together over the years, but we’re like family. I want what’s best for him. He wants what is best for me.”

“Toto is one of my best friends.”

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Can Toto Wolff & Co. keep Lewis Hamilton motivated for 2023 and beyond? Or will next year be Lewis Hamilton’s swansong in Formula 1?