May 26 - Toto Wolff has denied that Lewis Hamilton really wanted to throw in the towel last Sunday in Barcelona.

Despite the clearly improved Mercedes car, seven time world champion Hamilton radioed his team after an early incident advising engineers to retire him from the race to save engine mileage.

F1 managing director and former Mercedes boss Ross Brawn, however, doesn't see it as a sign that - at 37 - the record-holding Briton is shaping up to retire.

"Amid all the glitz and the glamour, you still have a very determined racing driver," he told the Evening Standard.

The 'glitz and glamour' aspect of Hamilton's character and lifestyle is described by former Formula 1 driver Christian Horner as "diva" behaviour.

"It has always been like this," he told Bild. "Sometimes he needs an emotional caress, but when he gets it, he's capable of outstanding performances."

Brawn agrees: "He's still supremely fit and capable. I'm pretty certain he wants to win that eighth championship and, if not this year as looks likely, then next year."

Current Mercedes boss Wolff therefore hits back at those who interpreted Hamilton's Barcelona radio message as a sign that he no longer possesses the will to fight.

"None of this describes a driver who was 38 seconds behind and yet stormed to the front while setting fastest laps of the race," he said.

"That is what shows the good attitude and determination that he has."

Wolff said the radio call was more about simple frustration.

"When you've lost the race, you always ask yourself 'What's the point of continuing the race now?' I'm glad we didn't take the car out of the race, because it was the most valuable time to compare the two cars and setups," he said.

"In the end we learned so much that it paid off," Wolff continued, saying of Hamilton's radio call: "It was like saying 'I can't believe this is happening to me'.

"I don't think he meant it the way it sounded."

As for Mercedes' difficult 2022 car, Brawn noted the clear steps forward in Miami and Barcelona.

"I don't know enough about what Mercedes' issues are to know if they can be fixed with the concept of car they have or whether they have to review the concept," he said.

"They'll sort it out I'm sure, but it's obviously very fragile what they're dealing with."


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31 F1 Fan comments on “Hamilton no quitter despite radio call says team boss

  1. ReallyOldRacer

    Totster: "I don't think he meant it the way it sounded."

    OK, explain what he meant. Sounded quite precise in words, tone and inflection.

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    • shroppyfly

      Torger doesn't bulls88t, you should him better than that, Lewis on the other hand does ( Frequently) as can be seen and heard this year, see if Lewis want to be more at the front this year he should have signed for Haas or AR

      As a footnote dyo use the "" last fifty comment"" option on this site Ror , I do and for me..! it hasn't updated comments since i think the 23rd, which is about as frustrating as updating the maps on the xgody beijing Sat Nav i just bought.... damn foreign muck , knew i should have bought a Honda as they are ultra reliable lol

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    • SS

      He said save engine,and then,he stormed to the front. that's lovely! Whatever he meant, next time he can say that again, and I always enjoy his magic.

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  2. ReallyOldRacer

    Last 50 comments? Hell, I have a tuff time keeping up with current comments. Besides, I have a day job. It's not easy editing my porn library.

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  3. Susan

    Just read that the FIA blinked. Exemption on jewelry until June. Rules are for some people,some of the time. Had us going there for a while. Shows who is running the show.

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  4. ReallyOldRacer

    OK, Cali Girl, where are your picks over in the 'Monaco Grand Prix Preview' string??? Make your choices or you drive the Volvo for an entire week.

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    • Susan

      I’ll be happy to drive the Volvo as long as Sir lulu doesn’t podium. So done with this supposed grown man acting like an adolescent school girl. Bring it on Lewis lovers, I can take whatever you dish out, name calling and all.

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  5. Susan

    Well ROR, that’s a tough pick. I’m going for Leclerc to win, Verstappen and possibly Lando, because he drives well in the rain.. Hopefully our G.OA.T will be too busy patting himself on his back for staring down the FIA, will not win, place or show. The stakes are high.🤣
    Sorry hamster minions.

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    • Donalf

      I think leclerc & verstappen will take each other out on lap one leaving perez over Russell, perez will fall asleep leaving GR to win the the day whilst sir Lulu is trying to buck his dolphining car with painful elbows.

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  6. Swede

    Hamilston is not a quitter. He will not quit wearing his silly nose jewelry.

    He arrived in Monaco with a nose piercing still visible, and the FIA has since extended the waiver through the end of June.

    Hamilton said. “We shouldn’t have to keep on revisiting this thing every weekend. We’ve definitely got bigger fish to fry.”

    No sheet. Just pop out the nose stud and quit whining like a little beach.

    The FIA is a bunch of splineless weenies. I guess Liberty Media demanded they not enforce the rule and disqualify him...

    But, the FIA did force MB to use the correct size FIA stickers on the side of the car. Now that was REALLY important!

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  7. Susan

    Lewis thrives on attention. He’ll find a way to come up with something equally inane for everyone to focus on because it won’t be his winning driving.

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  8. Susan

    Lewis thrives on attention. He’ll find a way to come up with something equally inane for everyone to focus on because it won’t be his winning driving.

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    • golly

      quote of the day/spacial awareness award monaco goes to shamilton for ( how far ahead are they man .are they behind me ? ).well done shamilton for finishing on the lead lap but well behind george again.no pun intended

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