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NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP poses during the launch of the Mercedes formula one team’s 2017 car, the W08, at Silverstone Circuit in Northampton, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
via Getty
NORTHAMPTON, ENGLAND: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP poses during the launch of the Mercedes formula one team’s 2017 car, the W08, at Silverstone Circuit in Northampton, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
Lewis Hamilton is arguably one of the greatest drivers in F1 history. He made his debut in 2007 and immediately challenged for the championship with McLaren. He won his first world championship in 2008 in dramatic fashion. Hamilton went on to have six years at the British team.
So when he decided to leave McLaren for Mercedes in late 2012, there was a lot of chatter. Mercedes was the fifth-fastest team in 2012 while McLaren was regularly fighting for the wins. But the move proved to be a masterstroke as both Hamilton and Mercedes dominated the sport from 2014 onwards.
Recently, Mercedes took to social media to share a throwback of Lewis’ first day with the team in 2013. We can see him interacting with the staff in Brixworth and doing media duties.
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January 24, 2013. The start of a new era for the Team. 💪
A throwback to @LewisHamilton’s very first day at Mercedes. 🤍❤️pic.twitter.com/EM1vJSaEkI
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) January 24, 2022
WATCH STORY: Lewis Hamilton: Ranking His F1 World Titles From 2008 to 2020
Toto Wolff reveals how his relationship with Lewis Hamilton has evolved
As reported by Planetf1, both Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton joined the team in 2013. They have both tasted immense success since, but Wolff mentioned they had a testy relationship in the beginning.
“In the early years, I would bite back at Lewis. He was very young, and I had to make the point that I wouldn’t allow the driver to bad-mouth the team, but we’ve been moved on from there a long time,” said Wolff.
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IMOLA, ITALY – OCTOBER 30: Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP and Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff walks in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Emilia Romagna at Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari on October 30, 2020, in Imola, Italy. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
“Still, I wouldn’t hesitate in the future if a driver talked bad about the team or wasn’t appropriate. I would first deal with it internally and if that didn’t yield results, I would take the driver out of the car.
On the bench, yes. I don’t think that would ever be Lewis. He’s a team member, not a contractor, a driver that comes and goes. We’ve been together since 2013. We know each other so well. There’s so much trust and respect,” revealed Wolff.
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Since the start of the 2014 season, Mercedes has won every single constructors’ championship, and Hamilton has challenged for the title every year barring 2013 since joining the team.
READ MORE: Would Lewis Hamilton be regarded differently if he had not won the 2008 championship?
