Relationships seem to be worsening within Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton, who had affirmed after his Ferrari announcement that he would be “100%” committed to progressing with the Silver Arrows in 2024, no longer appears to be as invested. The W15’s performance is degrading, and the 7-time champ hit rock bottom at the Chinese GP Qualifying, getting knocked out in Q1. Following that, Toto Wolff harshly criticized Hamilton’s decisions. The Austrian has even doubted his departing driver’s commitment to the team.

In 2024, Hamilton hasn’t been as quick as his teammate George Russell. Former F1 driver David Coulthard attributed this lack of pace to him being on the “back foot” because he was ‘mentally already at Ferrari’. Soon after, Hamilton issued a fresh statement to reassure Toto Wolff and Mercedes about his commitment. “I’m 100% a Mercedes driver right now, and that’s my only focus this year,” he said. “I don’t want it [switching to Ferrari] to be distracting me from doing the job for this team. I want to finish on a high.” 

Though Russell has publicly backed Hamilton against Coulthard’s claim, the same cannot be said about Wolff. The Mercedes TP has noticed an unusual change in his champion driver’s behavior. Despite their terrible performances, Hamilton appears to be smiling, as if he’s accepted his fate for this year. “Lewis is in a surprisingly good mood,” Wolff told ServusTV, as quoted by FormulaPassion. “I don’t know if it’s the knowledge that he will go somewhere else (Ferrari) next year. But it’s not like him at all,” he concluded, doubting Hamilton’s commitment after the Chinese GP.

Coulthard’s views seem to have rubbed on Wolff as well. As for Hamilton, his team boss’ statements have created a new facet of questioning, apart from people doubting his Ferrari move.

Lewis Hamilton shuts down critics doubting his Ferrari move with an X-rated reply

In nearly every race weekend, Hamilton has fielded questions regarding his Ferrari move. While some were worth answering, a journalist got on his nerves at the Japanese GP with an ill-timed question that brought out his pent-up frustration. Ahead of the Chinese GP, the 7-time champion finally ended all bizarre questioning with a stern statement.

“I don’t feel like I need my decision vindicating,” Hamilton told reporters in China of his Ferrari move. “I know what was right for me, and that hasn’t changed since the moment that I made the decision. There’s not been a moment where I questioned it, and I’m not swayed by other people’s comments. Even today, there’s people continuing to talk s**t, and it will continue on for the rest of the year.”

It is ironic how drivers are expected to behave professionally, but people interacting with them don’t often do so. However, for Hamilton, what Wolff thinks does matter. He still has 19 more races to compete in with the W15 under him. What do you think of Wolff’s stance on his driver’s behavior?