“Tend To Be Manic Depressive”: Amid Lewis Hamilton’s 17-Month Drought, Toto Wolff Calls Out F1’s Myopic Problem

F1 has traditionally been a sport for more resilient people. There is no room for the faint-hearted in such fierce competition. And Toto Wolff’s most recent statement, in which he was quoted as indicating that the F1 community has a tendency to be “maniac depressed,” sounded somewhat similar along these lines. So, what caused the Austrian to say this? Let’s find out.

Mercedes has been having difficulties ever since the season’s start. Similar to last year, the Brackley-based team’s performance hasn’t increased enough to challenge their arch-rival, Red Bull. Additionally, the team’s star driver, Lewis Hamilton, has been on a 17-month winless streak. In contrast, Red Bull has maintained a lead over the competition since 2023’s opening race and, barring error or other unforeseen circumstances, appears to have secured the top two spots for the remainder of the season.

Red Bull’s unrelenting dominance has infuriated both the F1 community and some fans. In the recent races, in particular, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix Sprint weekend, there has been criticism for the sport’s reduction in overtaking activity. The F1 vehicles were built in 2022 under very different technical regulations. This was done to enable easier following in the corners. However, the main objective was to provide more entertainment, something that is seriously lacking this year.

This is what Toto Wolff was discovered making a reference to in a recent interview with Racingnews365. Toto Wolff asserts that Formula 1 is an extreme competition that brings it the highs and the lows.

He said, “In this sport, we tend to be manic depressive, from exuberance to depression. When things are going well, everything is great, but then we have a race that’s not so good and we just talk about it.” While adding further he said, “A lot of things have been taken out of context to create headlines. I think we just have to see if we have a pattern that continues.” [Translated via Google]

READ MORE: Despite Lewis Hamilton’s Relentless Efforts to Uplift Women, Red Bull Legend Exposes the Ugly Side of F1

Without winning a race, Hamilton’s 2022 came to a conclusion. In 2021, Saudi Arabia was the site of his last victory. However, despite not having a competitive car, the Briton is optimistic about his goal of winning a record-eighth championship and Toto Wolff has once again shown his unwavering backing for the Mercedes star.

Toto Wolff expresses faith in Lewis Hamilton’s pursuit of the coveted eighth world championship

The Mercedes W-14 has a number of problems, and it lacks the speed to be competitive for the win. As a result,  we have heard Hamilton frequently complaining about the vehicle. This clearly shows that the 38-year-old man still has the desire to perform. However, now that James Allison has been hired to fill the position of Technical Director, the Brackley-based business may start a project that could enable the team to return to the top.

As of right now, Hamilton and Michael Schumacher are deadlocked with seven world championships, and the 38-year-old is driven to win his coveted eighth world championship, and if Allison can help the team get back on the track, we might see the man battling it out at the front once again.

Wolff was reportedly heard encouraging the Mercedes star as he said, “I think he feels very strong and we also think that this year we will not race for the drivers’ championship. That’s what it seems at the moment, and hopefully we can make a winning package for this season and then have something more that can take him to his eighth title.”

Later, while showing belief in the 7x champion, the Mercedes Boss quoted, “I have no doubt that he is motivated to achieve this goal, this is what he loves to do, this is his ability.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Will Lewis Hamilton Consider a Move to Ferrari if Mercedes Doesn’t Deliver?

Do you believe Toto Wolff and Company, who have already begun to move in the right direction, can provide Sir Lewis Hamilton with a competitive car to lock horns with Max Verstappen and Co.?