Angry Lewis Hamilton Annoys Mercedes Boss Toto Wolff By Playing Blame Game With Sergio Perez

Shreya Sanjeev | 02/07/2023
“Vulnerable” Lewis Hamilton Seeking Escape From Toto Wolff as Mercedes Falls Apart

The Austrian GP weekend has already given its viewers so much drama over the weekend with an intense sprint day and even more off-track battles. However, one thing remained consistent- those pesky track limits. Now, just minutes into the race on Sunday, warnings and penalties are flying out the window, and Lewis Hamilton is not a happy man.

Being the first driver to be hit with a 5-second penalty just 16 laps into the race, Hamilton was out for vengeance. In an intense battle with Sergio Perez, the bad tidings of his looming penalty had Hamilton playing a backseat steward on the racetrack. Stuck behind the Red Bull, Hamilton made sure Perez’s antics were being scrutinized.

Lewis Hamilton throws Sergio Perez to the wolves

As the two drivers lapped the Red Bull Ring, each lap only piled on to Hamilton’s frustrations. According to him, Perez was blatantly evading track limits; this had Hamilton hoping the Mexican faced a similar fate as him.

Hamilton lit up the radio waves to call out Perez, while also taking a nuanced dig at the stewards. “yep, Perez went off at turn 10. if they’re dishing these things out, they might as well know.”

And Hamilton took this personally. Lap after lap, he reported on Perez’s actions that deserved a penalty. A couple of laps later, Hamilton couldn’t help but ask, “He is completely off Turn 10. Has he got a penalty yet?” 

Hamilton wasn’t happy with this news as he reported back, “This guy’s been off every single time.”

Toto Wolff asks Hamilton to just focus

Clearly, being the first one to the slaughter had its effects on Hamilton, who took it upon himself to monitor everybody’s track limits. Before serving his penalty, Hamilton was worried.

He went on his radio to once again pose the question: “Has anyone else got penalties yet?” And that’s when Toto Wolff steps in. We hear Wolff’s voice for encouragement or bearing bad news. But today, the message was different.

Wolff asked his driver to focus on his own race. The stern voice answered, “Lewis, they’re all going to get penalties in front of you. All of them. So keep going.”

However, the itch wasn’t scratched for Hamilton, who once again radioed his pitfall regarding the other drivers’ penalties. Once again, Wolff intervened, “Lewis, the car is bad, we know. Please drive it.”

And thus, the subject was closed. For now. Surely Hamilton will have some firm statements to share in the media pen after the race.

Post Edited By: Shreya Sanjeev
Austrian GP Lewis Hamilton Sergio Perez Toto Wolff

About the author

Shreya Sanjeev

Shreya Sanjeev is an F1 journalist at the SportsRush. Two years in the field and an ever-growing love for the sport drive her dream to walk around the paddock one day with a mic in hand. A Red Bull fan through and through, her “favorite driver” spot was once held by notable alumni Sebastian Vettel, Daniel Ricciardo, and now, the Dutch Lion himself, Max Verstappen. Apart from F1, she muses in the NBA and cheers on for Steph Curry and his Warriors, while also jumping on the NFL bandwagon.

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