Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has mounted a staunch defence of Lewis Hamilton after the Ferrari driver delivered a scathing self-assessment at the Hungarian Grand Prix, describing himself as "useless" and suggesting the Italian team should find a replacement.
The seven-time world champion's harsh words came after he qualified 12th on Saturday and failed to improve during Sunday's race, finishing outside the points whilst team-mate Charles Leclerc continued to outperform him.
Hamilton's emotional outburst has intensified speculation about his future in F1, with the British driver appearing increasingly frustrated by his struggles since joining Ferrari this season.
Wolff, who worked alongside Hamilton for 12 years at Mercedes, characterised the outburst as typical of the driver's candid nature rather than cause for alarm.
Toto Wolff worked alongside Lewis Hamilton for 12 years at Mercedes
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"That is Lewis wearing his heart on his sleeve," Wolff said in Budapest. "It's what he thought when he was asked after the session. It was very raw. He was down on himself."
The Austrian team principal noted this wasn't unprecedented behaviour from Hamilton, who has previously expressed similar self-criticism when falling short of his personal standards.
"We had it in the past when he felt that he'd underperformed in his own expectations," Wolff explained, describing Hamilton as having been "emotionally transparent since he was a young boy."
Wolff also firmly rejected suggestions that Hamilton might retire from the sport, insisting the 40-year-old has "unfinished business in Formula 1."
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Lewis Hamilton has struggled to adjust to his new car in his first season at Ferrari
| GettyThe Mercedes boss drew parallels between Hamilton's current struggles and Mercedes' own difficulties with the ground-effect regulations introduced in 2022, suggesting both may be connected to driving style preferences.
"He shouldn't go anywhere next year," Wolff stated emphatically, pointing to the comprehensive rule changes scheduled for 2026 as a potential turning point.
"There are brand new cars which are completely different to drive. New power units which need an intelligent way of managing the energy."
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Regarding Hamilton's prospects of securing a record-breaking eighth championship, Wolff outlined specific conditions that would need to be met.
"If he has a car underneath him, which he has confidence in, and which does what he wants, then yes," the Austrian stated when asked about Hamilton's title chances.
However, the Mercedes chief acknowledged that without proper machinery, success would remain elusive.
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Lewis Hamilton last won a championship in 2020
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He noted that neither the recent Mercedes cars nor Hamilton's current Ferrari have provided the necessary feedback the driver requires.
"If he has a car which isn't giving him the feedback that he wants - like the Mercedes of the past few years or the Ferrari which seems to be worse - then not," Wolff admitted.
Despite the current challenges, Wolff remains adamant about Hamilton's enduring greatness and capabilities.
"He's going to beat himself up. He's the GOAT. And he will always be the GOAT," Wolff declared.
The Mercedes boss emphasised that neither individual poor weekends nor disappointing seasons could erase Hamilton's achievements, urging the driver to remember his status as "the Greatest Of All Time."
When directly questioned about whether Hamilton still possesses the ability to compete at the highest level, Wolff's response was unequivocal: "But you ask me if he still has it? He definitely has it."