Lewis Hamilton breaks silence on Mike Elliott’s Mercedes exit, defends him from criticism over failed zero side-pods concept

Hamilton has known Mike Elliott from his debut McLaren days, hence rightfully defends his side-pods ideas.

Lewis Hamilton breaks silence on Mike Elliott’s Mercedes exit, defends him from criticism over failed zero side-pods concept

Lewis Hamilton, Mike Elliott and Toto Wolff (Images Via IMAGO)

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton defends Mike Elliott from criticism over failing to succeed with the zero side-pods concept. Hamilton has known Elliott since his rookie year when he was with McLaren. He defends his departing team member and believes the no side-pods decision was not made by one person but by the whole team.

Elliott was promoted to the post of Technical Director of the team back in 2021. He was later given back his position of Chief Technical Officer due to the lack of the team’s success in 2022 and 2023. As of now, Elliott has resigned from the team’s work and position after serving them for 11 long and successful years. His contribution to the team should hopefully not be dimmed out by the unsuccessful side-pods idea.

YouTube video

In his recent interview reported by SilverArrows.net, Hamilton defended the outgoing senior team member as not only being responsible for the zero side-pods concept. The seven-time world Champion wishes the best of luck to the departing team member and prays for his further success in motorsports.

FS Video
We do everything as a team. There are so many moving parts at the factory, so there’s not only a single individual responsible for where we are. What we have to remember is nothing is down to one person...It’s a collective.

George Russell stands by Lewis Hamilton to defend Mike Elliott

Mercedes driver George Russell backs up his teammate Hamilton’s words to defend the team’s outgoing CTO. He believes that all the good he has done for the team should not be overshadowed by two unsuccessful years. 

George Russell (via IMAGO)
It’s never one individual who makes or breaks success. It’s always a collective. And as the saying goes: ‘We win and lose together.

He believes that the immense talent and quality he added to the team will forever remain a testimonial of Elliott’s contribution. Mercedes is currently P2 in the Constructors Standings, 22 points ahead of Ferrari. The next round is scheduled in Sao Paulo for the Brazilian GP from 3-5 November, where the team needs to keep the P3 runners behind them.

Discover more: