06 April 2023 , 16:28
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Toto Wolff reminded his Mercedes staff: "It's important to listen to a seven-time world champion," as he backed Lewis Hamilton over his complaints about his W14 car.
The Silver Arrows seem to be already out of the Formula 1 title race for a second season in a row. Their car is not as competitive as they would want it to be, while Red Bull have already established a huge lead at the top of the standings after just three races.
Last month, Hamilton publicly criticised his team, accusing them of ignoring his input in the design process. "I told them the issues that are with the car. I've driven so many cars in my life, so I know what a car needs, I know what a car doesn't need," he said.
"And I think it's really about accountability, it's about owning up and saying 'yeah, you know what, we didn't listen to you, it's not where it needs to be and we've got to work'."
He later followed that up by declaring that he does not feel "connected" with the W14 and is having trouble getting to grips with the car. "It's miserable. It's tough. I'm giving it absolutely everything. I'm here as late as I can be every day and preparing as best as I can with the car, and I still just can't connect with it," he said.
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And Hamilton's latest complaint came ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, pointing out his dislike of the placement of the cockpit on the car. He stated that he feels he is too far forward in the car – an issue which team boss Wolff has now vowed to address.
Toto Wolff says the problem will soon be fixed (HOCH ZWEI/picture-alliance/dpa/AP Images)He is quoted by Motorsport Total as having said: "We are dealing with the big concept of the driver position. That is obviously one of the most important things. It's about where the driver has the best feeling in the car, which is something Lewis expresses very clearly. And when a seven-time world champion has an opinion, it is important to listen to it."
Regardless of his complaints about the car, Hamilton enjoyed a much better weekend in Melbourne as Mercedes found pace. They qualified second and third and their more experienced racer converted that into their first podium of the year.
George Russell might have joined him on the stage, but endured rotten luck in the Australian sun. He pitted from the lead for fresh tyres seconds before a red flag allowed everyone else to get new rubber for free, before his race was ended once and for all by an engine failure.