Toto Wolff reveals angry Lewis Hamilton went silent after Nico Rosberg’s 2016 title victory
Toto Wolff highlighted that his relationship with Lewis Hamilton suffered after Nico Rosberg defeated the Briton for the 2016 F1 title.
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Nico Rosberg, Toto Wolff, and Lewis Hamilton (images via IMAGO)
Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes are one of the most successful pairings in the history of motorsport. However, even this relationship has had a few tough moments. Team boss Toto Wolff has now confessed that he and Hamilton faced a difficult time after Nico Rosberg won the 2016 F1 world championship.
Rosberg defeated Lewis Hamilton for the 2016 title at the season finale in Abu Dhabi in one of the closest battles. Wolff recalled that this created a rather difficult situation within Mercedes. Although, the German driver announced his retirement just five days later.
There was a moment when we lived a really difficult moment in 2016 after Nico had won the championship. We didn’t talk to each other for a few weeks.
Toto Wolff said on the High Performance Podcast
Toto Wolff claimed that he did not have a single conversation with Lewis Hamilton for a few weeks after the Abu Dhabi GP. The Austrian billionaire called the seven-time world champion to his house before Christmas to discuss the elephant in the room. Wolff made it clear that Hamilton must talk to him to ensure that things remain on-track for the Silver Arrows.
Then he came to my house because I told him we had to talk. We spent many hours and got out of this discussion. It was before the Christmas party, and what I told him is that we can’t not talk.
Toto Wolff added
Toto Wolff laid down the foundation of his bond with Lewis Hamilton
The Mercedes team boss informed Hamilton that the two of them must communicate with one another whenever things go wrong. He instructed the Briton to call him anytime things get difficult. Toto Wolff emphasized that this conversation became the foundation for their relationship for the years to come. As Lewis Hamilton went on to win four more titles with his team.
If there’s something bothering us, you just have to pick up the phone and tell me. That was the foundation of our relationship, friendship, and relationship in the years to come.
Toto Wolff noted
Certainly, Wolff and Hamilton have shared the closest driver-boss relationship on the F1 grid. Unfortunately, the two will part ways at the end of this season as the 39-year-old moves to Ferrari. Nevertheless, Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton will remain close friends for the time to come.
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Armaan Agarwal
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