Wolff Explains Why Mercedes Isn’t Keen on Having Lewis Hamilton and Verstappen Together

Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes have continued to dominate Formula 1. Mercedes have already won the 2020 constructors championship. Meanwhile, Hamilton is set to ensure his record-equaling world title at the Turkish Grand Prix this weekend.

There has been a sole challenger on the grid who has managed to split the Silver Arrows apart. Red Bull driver Max Verstappen is the only one on the grid challenging the Mercedes. He has also proposed racing in equal cars to see who is the best.

The Formula 1 community would give anything to see Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton compete in similar machinery.

However, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has clarified that this dream lineup is not a possibility. He said, “Max is not an option for Mercedes.”

Read More – Verstappen Challenges Lewis Hamilton For Private F1 Test, Mercedes Respond

Lessons from Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg rivalry

Toto Wolff referenced the rivalry to support his decision. The Hamilton-Rosberg rivalry was very intense. The lineup caused a substantial amount of tension within the team.

Wolff explained, “We will never understand exactly what happened in the relationship between Nico and Lewis at the time.”

We saw a friendship turn into rivalry and pure hostility between the pair. Wolff explained that dealing with the situation got very difficult.

“During team meetings there was a very negative energy in the air. At some point it was no longer acceptable and we talked about it,” he further added.

He believes that a lineup of Verstappen and Hamilton will also create unnecessary star wars.

He said, “Max’s presence would create an unnecessary ‘star wars’. Fortunately, with Valtteri all this has not presented itself.”

At the moment, Mercedes has a good driver lineup, no potential tension, and they are winning races and titles comfortably. There is no need to change anything in a successfully running Formula 1 team.

At present, Mercedes have signed a deal with Valtteri Bottas till 2021. Meanwhile, Verstappen has a contract with Red Bull until the end of 2023. Lewis Hamilton is far off the rest of the grid on P1.

However, Verstappen is taking the fight to Bottas to try and take over the P2 position on the drivers’ championship.

Read More – “Nothing Against Lewis, But…” – Max Verstappen’s (Un)popular Opinion