Toto Wolff Backs Lewis Hamilton With Massive GOAT Claim
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff continues to support his former driver Lewis Hamilton as the Brit goes through a downturn in form.
Hamilton failed to score points at one of his best tracks historically in yet another disappointing race weekend.
The seven-time champion sits sixth in the standings and is out of the running for a title this season.
As a team, Ferrari hasn't been stellar operationally. The SF-25 requires the drivers to lift and coast to preserve the bottom plank under the car, and even at its fastest, it sits as the second quickest car over a race weekend.
Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff attend WhatsApp & Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Empire State Building Viewing Party on April 29, 2024 at Virgin Hotels in New York City.
Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff attend WhatsApp & Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Empire State Building Viewing Party on April 29, 2024 at Virgin Hotels in New York City.
Photo by Steven Ferdman/Getty
Charles Leclerc managed to score five different podium finishes and secured pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix, though mechanical issues cost him a win.
On the other hand, Hamilton still hasn't finished on the podium with Ferrari, and he is 42 points behind his teammate.
While the car hasn't been promising, Hamilton has certainly underwhelmed.
His lackluster results led him to question whether Ferrari would be better off switching drivers, and he seemed to lack confidence in his abilities.
Toto Wolff, however, still believes in Hamilton and his abilities to drive at a top level.
"It's what he thought very much when he was asked after the session was very raw," Wolff told the media during the Hungarian GP weekend.
"He was doubting himself, and we had it in the past. When he felt that he had underperformed his own expectations, and the team had its own goal, he's been that emotional, emotionally transparent since he was a young boy, a young adult.
"So, he's going to beat himself up. He's the GOAT. And he will always be the GOAT, and nobody's going to take that away. For sure, no single weekend or race season that hasn't gone to plan."
Toto answer when they asked him about Lewis yesterday pic.twitter.com/NF16FdNGbF — LH44(A) (@LH44Fanpage8) August 3, 2025
The Wolff-Hamilton partnership at Mercedes captured six titles and produced one of the most dominant eras in the sport.
Many expected Hamilton to retire with his long-time team, but he ended up making his dream move over to Ferrari for what should be the last stop of his career.
Hamilton announced his decision before the start of the 2024 season, allowing for the entire year to be a goodbye and homage to his time at the German racing team.
Wolff has continually backed Hamilton this season, believing that the great driver will adjust soon.
Hamilton gets a chance to reset over the summer break, and with plenty of racing left, there is time to establish momentum for the pivotal 2026 season.
For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
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