Wolff Rebuked Hamilton for 'Useless' Outburst, Citing Michael Jordan

Wolff Rebuked Hamilton for 'Useless' Outburst, Citing Michael Jordan

Toto Wolff revealed he confronted Lewis Hamilton after the seven-time World Champion's "useless" self-criticism following a challenging qualifying session in Hungary. Wolff stressed that while Hamilton's emotional honesty is a strength, such disparaging remarks are uncharacteristic of elite athletes like Michael Jordan.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's self-assessment as "useless" and suggesting the team "change driver" after failing to reach Q3 in Hungary raised concerns. Wolff's "tough love" intervention highlights the high standards maintained within the Mercedes team, even as Hamilton prepares for his eventual move to Ferrari.

The context:

Hamilton experienced a challenging period leading up to Formula 1's summer break, failing to reach Q3 in three consecutive qualifying sessions. This included back-to-back Q1 eliminations, a spin in Belgian GP Sprint quali, and a track limits penalty costing him a fastest lap. His frustration peaked in Hungary, where he missed Q3 while teammate Charles Leclerc secured pole position. It was then that a visibly upset Hamilton told Sky F1, "I'm useless, absolutely useless... The team, they have no problem – you've seen the car is on pole. So, they probably need to change driver."

Wolff's perspective:

Wolff found Hamilton's statement "wrong" and addressed it with him directly. "Did you ever hear Michael Jordan say about himself, I’m useless and that you change the player? No," Wolff stated, emphasizing the importance of a champion's mindset. While acknowledging Hamilton's positive trait of expressing emotion, Wolff believed this particular outburst was a "bad moment" because it was "simply not true."

The bigger picture:

Hamilton's current form and future move to Ferrari are under scrutiny. He has yet to secure a podium in what would be his first season as a Ferrari driver, potentially marking his first F1 campaign without a top-three result in 19 years. Despite this, Wolff maintains strong belief in Hamilton's enduring talent, stating, "He’s the GOAT and he will always be the GOAT." Wolff also suggested that Hamilton's legacy will forever be tied to Mercedes, much like Michael Schumacher's to Ferrari, unless Hamilton secures an eighth title with the Scuderia.

What's next:

Wolff believes Hamilton is on the verge of a comeback, needing "another good race weekend or two" to regain form. With significant car and power unit regulation changes coming in F1 2026, Wolff sees Hamilton as a key player, capable of adapting and continuing his success for "many more years."