Former Haas F1 team principal Guenther Steiner dismissed Toto Wolff’s comments about wanting to see Lewis Hamilton win without Mercedes F1 as “nonsense.”
Seven-time world champion Hamilton bid farewell to Mercedes after 12 seasons at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix finale as he prepares to join Ferrari next year.
Speaking after the race, Toto Wolff expressed his desire to see Hamilton succeed with Ferrari if his own team cannot compete for the championship.
“If we can’t win, we will cheer for him,” Wolff told the media. “He deserves an eighth championship, but obviously the team, the drivers, the brand—that’s the main priority to win, and we will give it everything we can.”
However, Steiner, who served as Haas F1 team principal from 2016 to 2023, dismissed Wolff’s remarks as being “for the cameras.”
“Obviously, he doesn’t mean that. It was nonsense for the cameras. It was for television,” Steiner said.
When asked if he believed Wolff would be unhappy if Hamilton claimed an eighth title with Ferrari, Steiner accused the Austrian of hypocrisy.
“No, because that would mean Toto didn’t win it,” Steiner stated. “Why should he be happy? He said, ‘If it’s not us, it should be you.’ But yes, of course. If he doesn’t win it, I don’t think he really cares who does, in my opinion.”
Steiner emphasized that he was not swept up in the emotions surrounding Hamilton’s final Grand Prix with Mercedes.
“Emotional? No. He chose to go to Ferrari; he’s not leaving. There’s no need to get emotional about it!”
“He got emotional, but there was no reason to. He knew what he was doing when he signed the contract 10 months ago.”
“It was certainly a fantastic partnership. Lewis did a lot for Mercedes, but Mercedes did a lot for Lewis. It’s a win-win situation.”
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Wolff’s Hamilton Comments Slammed by Steiner
Wolff’s Hamilton Comments Slammed by Steiner
