Toto Wolff says Lewis Hamilton is ‘still the best driver in the world’

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes his driver Lewis Hamilton can still win a record-breaking eighth world title, providing the Silver Arrows can produce a competitive enough car this coming season.

Hamilton equalled Michael Schumacher’s championship tally in 2020 but was controversially denied his eighth title in a dramatic 2021 showdown with Max Verstappen.

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Wolff says Hamilton can win his eight if Mercedes give him a car that can fight for the title.

“If we’re able to give him a car, then he would be fighting for a World Championship, I have no doubt. It’s clear that when you have a Formula 1 car like we have now, you’re never at ease with it – you have good weekends and bad weekends.

Wolff ‘desperate’ to give Hamilton a faster car

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“In the end, every time where we’ve seen that Lewis has someone in his target in front of him, and it was about winning the race, then the real Lewis comes alive, and I think we just need to give him that [opportunity],” Wolff was quoted on F1 website.

Despite their recent drop off, Mercedes have won eight of the last 10 constructors’ titles, and classified at least third in every season since 2013 – with Wolff offering a philosophical take on the situation the squad find themselves in.

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Hamilton struggled in his last two races of the 2023 races, failing to finish in the top 5.

“I think that doesn’t do anything on him being the greatest driver in the world,” Wolff added.

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