“That desire to win hasn’t disappeared” – Mercedes chief strategist James Vowles has complimented Lewis Hamilton for being a true team champion.
Speaking on the special feature ‘Beyond the Grid’ podcast, James Vowles spoke about how Lewis Hamilton was only hellbent on winning races and titles for ‘himself’. That has changed over the years, with the focus being on winning as a team. And that has certainly happened, with Mercedes winning seven titles in succession.
“I’ll speak on my behalf only because I can’t talk on behalf of others, but he’s a very different character to the character who joined us. When he joined us he was a mercenary. He was here to win races.
“That desire to win hasn’t disappeared but what he has realized is you do it with the team and as a part of a team and you become the greatest sportsman that exists as a result of it. One individual can’t do it by himself.”
Toto Wolff the best team principal
Vowles calls Toto Wolff “the best team principal that you could imagine”, having successfully instilled a “no-blame” culture. Mercedes have had four drivers since its inception, with all of them adding something new to it.
“In terms of Lewis and what he brings to the party – they are all different. Every single driver and what they have brought [to the team] is different.
“Michael [Schumacher] brought his strengths to it and Nico [Rosberg] brought his strengths into it. Valtteri [Bottas] brings strengths to it in a different way as well and Lewis brings his own set of strengths but I don’t think it’s one individual.
“I think it’s how they form together and the culture we’ve created here that is why we are who we are today and why we work together.”
Also read: “There’s a long way to go”– Lewis Hamilton’s warning to Red Bull
