Formula 1

You need to win and lose with dignity, says Mercedes boss Toto Wolff

Published Dec. 9, 2016 1:27 p.m. ET

Adam Cooper

Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff has reminded Lewis Hamilton that he should prepare to lose “with dignity” in the light of the controversial Abu Dhabi GP.

Wolff was keen to point out that F1 is a team sport, and Mercedes has provided Hamilton with a winning car over recent seasons. Hamilton has been keen to point out that he has suffered more mechanical problems than teammate Nico Rosberg this year.

“You need to win and to lose with dignity,” said Wolff. “This is a mechanical sport. If they sat on the floor on the starting grid they wouldn’t go far. This team has built them the best car over the last three years and has made them win races and championships. This team has let them down on occasions – less occasions letting them down than the ones they can celebrate. This year, clearly Malaysia cost him the championship. It’s clear.”

Wolff was keen to pay tribute to Rosberg: “Racing against the most talented driver as a teammate and winning a world championship and making it close the years before it quite an achievement, and I think we should honor that, because he is a tough cookie and he doesn’t let go. There is quite some remarkable character traits about him that make him a World Champion and a worthy World Champion.”

Get more from Formula 1 Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more

in this topic

Formula 1