'Never Write Lewis Off': Toto Wolff Backs Hamilton To Bounce Back After Hungarian GP Struggles
Toto Wolff defends Lewis Hamilton after a tough Hungarian GP qualifying, urging fans not to count him out. Despite Ferrari struggles, Wolff believes Hamilton can still dominate.
Toto Wolff has come to the defense of Lewis Hamilton following another difficult qualifying session at the Hungarian GP for the seven-time world champion, urging fans and critics alike not to count him out.
'I've always said that Lewis on a good weekend is still an absolutely dominant guy," said Wolff, who managed Hamilton during the most successful stretch of both their careers at Mercedes.
'He's always been strong in the second half of the season. So, never write Lewis Hamilton off."
Toto answer when they asked him about Lewis yesterday pic.twitter.com/NF16FdNGbF — LH44(A) (@LH44Fanpage8) August 3, 2025
Wolff's words come as Hamilton continues to search for his first win since making a headline-grabbing switch to Ferrari. The Briton, who has a record eight career victories at the Hungaroring, struggled again during qualifying at this year's Hungarian Grand Prix, finishing well off the pace.
After his session at Mogyoród, Hamilton didn't hide his disappointment. 'I'm useless. Absolutely useless," he said, clearly dejected by his performance in the Ferrari—a car that has yet to unlock the kind of dominance he once enjoyed at Mercedes.
Hamilton's journey with Wolff began in 2013, when he left McLaren to join a then-rebuilding Mercedes team. What followed was an unprecedented era of dominance: six world titles, dozens of race wins, and a partnership built not just on performance but on profound mutual respect.
Through the highs of championship glory and the lows of painful defeats—most notably the controversial 2021 title decider—Wolff and Hamilton stood united. 'That moment left a scar," Wolff once said about the Abu Dhabi finale. 'But we carried it together."
Even as Mercedes faced on-track difficulties in 2022 and 2023, their bond remained intact. Hamilton often credited Wolff for creating a team culture that allowed him to express his full self, both as a competitor and as a person. 'He let me be me," Hamilton has said. 'That's rare in this sport."
Now racing in the iconic red of Ferrari, Hamilton is adjusting to new surroundings and a fresh challenge. The wins may be elusive for now, but Wolff, watching from afar, remains convinced that Hamilton's fire hasn't dimmed.
'He's not done," Wolff's message makes clear. 'People forget how quickly he can turn things around."
As the F1 season heads into its second half, Hamilton will be hoping to prove his old boss right—and remind the world that he's still one of the sport's defining forces.
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