Lewis Hamilton’s concerns on equal treatment addressed by Mercedes boss Toto Wolff

Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff has responded to Lewis Hamilton’s recent comments suggesting potential preferential treatment within the team. Wolff asserted that both Hamilton and his teammate George Russell are treated equally. 

Hamilton's remarks at the Monaco Grand Prix, where he implied, he might not be able to outqualify Russell again this season, raised eyebrows. He pointed out that Russell had exclusive access to a new front wing in Monte Carlo.

It later emerged that Hamilton had declined the opportunity to use the new wing, preferring not to risk a pitlane start if it was damaged during qualifying. Nevertheless, his comments suggested a concern about the fairness of treatment between teammates.

What did Toto Wolff say?

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff insists that such concerns are unfounded, emphasizing that Mercedes has consistently aimed to balance and be transparent in its approach, except for a notable instance at the 2016 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. During that race, Hamilton was instructed to speed up as he attempted to back Nico Rosberg into the pack during their title showdown.

Wolff said, "Aren't all drivers a bit sceptical at times? As a team, we have always strived to be fair and transparent, even during intense competitions between teammates. I can understand that as a driver, you want the best for yourself and the team. Sometimes, when things don’t go your way, it’s natural to question. But as a team, we are committed to providing both drivers with the best possible cars, strategies, and support."

Throughout the Monaco Grand Prix weekend, Hamilton’s relationship with the team came under scrutiny. He questioned the team’s decisions, such as the choice of medium tyres for the race restart and a miscommunication during a tyre change out-lap, which cost him an undercut opportunity against Max Verstappen.

Wolff attributed these tensions to the high-pressure environment, stating, "We’re trying to make the best of our relationship and maximize results in what is a challenging season. Tensions are natural because every driver wants to perform their best."

Despite Russell outqualifying Hamilton seven times to one this season, Wolff dismissed this as a definitive trend, noting, "We are only seven races in, with 17 more to go. It’s just a statistic at this point." Looking ahead, both Hamilton and Russell will have access to the new front wing in the next race in Canada, part of Mercedes’ ongoing upgrades to improve performance.