Senior figures within the paddock and members of the media received an email following the Canadian Grand Prix containing allegations against Mercedes and Toto Wolff of sabotage towards Lewis Hamilton.
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The Allegations
The writer claimed to be an employee from the Mercedes team, opening the exchange with “some of us in the team are unhappy about the systematic sabotaging of Lewis”.
They went on to accuse the team of handing Hamilton a “death warrant” due to a cold tyre strategy, a very serious allegation to make from an individual claiming to be employed by the German outfit.
After carrying out their own investigations, Mercedes are confident that the email did not originate from within their staff and have referred the matter to the police for further analysis.
Toto Wolff Has His Say
Toto Wolff was questioned on the matter at the Spanish GP on Friday, where he said: “It’s not from a member of the team.”
“We get tons of these emails. With this particular one, I have instructed to go full force – with the police enquiring it. They are researching the IP address, we are researching the phone, all of that because online abuse in that way needs to stop.”
“People can’t hide behind their phones or their computers and abuse teams or drivers in a way like this.”
The email included allegations that Hamilton is being intentionally excluded from “underhanded things”, as well as claims that “his car, his tyre strategy, and his mental health” are being sabotaged by the Mercedes team.
Hamilton has been outperformed by his teammate George Russell so far this season, the pair sit 7th and 8th in the championship standings with Russell just 14 points ahead.
The 7-time-champion is set to depart Mercedes at the end of the 2024 season to join Ferrari in Maranello, a much anticipated move that had been the topic of discussion for many years before being confirmed at the start of the season.
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It is with this information that conspiracy theorists have raised questions into accusations of favouritism within the team, namely to the benefit of Russell and at the detriment of his departing teammate.
The split has, up to this point, remained amicable between the two camps, but wavering performances have ignited tensions between fans and haters.
Wolff said, “The privilege that we had to work with Lewis as an incredible driver, and a great personality. I totally respect the reasons for him going to Ferrari.”
“There is no grudge, there is no bad feeling. People that abuse are cowards because they hide. Those people are being given a platform.”
Russell suffered his own bout of online abuse since the last race, criticising his performance and spreading hate towards the British driver. Speaking in Thursday’s press conference, Hamilton showed support towards his teammate, confessing that he was “unaware” that George was experiencing any negativity.
“George has done nothing but his best every single weekend, and it’s been a win for the team, so he can’t be faulted at all.”
“There can always be things done better within the team, but we’re all in the same boat. We’re working hard together”.
Where is the evidence?
Long-time F1 commentator David Croft had his say on the matter, questioning the rationale of the comments made regarding the Mercedes sabotage and simply asking the question: where is the proof?
“I’m not saying one side or other is right on this argument but show me the data,”
“If the team are disadvantaging one driver the data will be there to prove it. If somebody who purports to be a member of the Mercedes team thinks the data is there, show it.”
Featured Image Credit: 2023 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Sunday – Sebastian Kawka
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