Breaking news
Formula 1
Wolff has no qualms with Hamilton being "polarising"
Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff says there is no issue with Lewis Hamilton being polarising in order to speak out about important issues and use his platform.
Luke Smith
Published: Nov 24, 2020, 9:03 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Hamilton wrapped up his seventh F1 world championship in Turkey last weekend, equalling Michael Schumacher’s all-time record with three races to spare in the 2020 season.
It came after a year that has seen Hamilton find his voice and use his platform on issues such as racial equality and improving diversity within motorsport, something he said is more significant than his on-track achievements.
Hamilton set up The Hamilton Commission earlier this year in a bid to improve diversity in racing, and regularly uses his social media platforms with over 27 million folllowers to highlight issues.
Although it has led to criticism from some fans that Hamilton should focus more on racing, Mercedes chief Wolff said it was fine for the British driver to polarise people if it meant he spoke out about important messages.
“What I always say is that not only as a racing driver he has developed, but also as a strong personality,” Wolff said.
“There are topics that are very close to his heart, and because of his large audiences, he has realised he has a voice and he wanted to utilise his voice to support the topics that are close to his heart.
“I think that is absolutely acceptable, and he has gained more profile through that. He is obviously polarising, but that is OK, because you would want to polarise and get the message out, rather than be down the middle and too streamlined.”
From the editor, also read:
- Hamilton has put car vs driver debate to rest - Lowe
- Hamilton: Unsung heroes deserve knighthood, not me
- Brawn: Schumacher and Hamilton share "God-given talent"
Matching Schumacher’s seventh title was the latest major landmark for Hamilton through 2020, having also become F1’s all-time wins record holder in October.
He is poised to become the first driver in F1 history to hold over 100 wins and 100 pole positions, and will start 2021 as the favourite to take an unprecedented eighth championship.
Wolff said that Hamilton’s on-track success would only help his platform to grow and allow for him to speak to a wider audience about important issues.
“He is always very aware that through success in Formula 1 and as a racing driver with outstanding records, he will grow his audiences and his credibility,” Wolff said.
“That is clear. That is why these two things nurture each other. Obviously his main base is racing and driving and that is the main platform, so all the others become more credible.”
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Binotto: Ferrari's upswing in form encouraging for 2021 hopes
Next article F1 staff will find remote working "phenomenally difficult"
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Luke Smith
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
Formula 1
Formula 1
1998 Belgian GP: When the Schumachers went to war
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Formula 1
Formula 1
The race that transformed perceptions of Red Bull
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
Formula 1
Formula 1
Hamilton in the process of selecting Brad Pitt’s co-star for F1 movie
More from
Lewis Hamilton
Oscar Piastri on his Singapore puncture: “Ironically, it probably helped”
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Oscar Piastri on his Singapore puncture: “Ironically, it probably helped”
Why Ferrari caved in to Lewis Hamilton’s failed Singapore F1 gamble
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Why Ferrari caved in to Lewis Hamilton’s failed Singapore F1 gamble
More from
Mercedes
The figures that show Mercedes has lost its supremacy in F1 2026
Formula 1
Formula 1
United States GP
18 h
The figures that show Mercedes has lost its supremacy in F1 2026
Mercedes: “We had people who hadn’t done a live pitstop for 15 years” in Singapore GP
Formula 1
Formula 1
Singapore GP
Mercedes: “We had people who hadn’t done a live pitstop for 15 years” in Singapore GP
Latest news
NASCAR explains why they penalized Zane Smith after latest clash with Carson Hocevar
NASCAR Cup
NAS NASCAR Cup
Phoenix II
13 h
NASCAR explains why they penalized Zane Smith after latest clash with Carson Hocevar
Porsche boss Laudenbach says he is "not happy" with how things were handled by IMSA in 2026
IMSA
IMSA IMSA 13 h
Porsche boss Laudenbach says he is "not happy" with how things were handled by IMSA in 2026
Five things to watch out for at the F1 United States GP
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
United States GP
13 h
Five things to watch out for at the F1 United States GP
KTM sees MotoGP 2027 as a fresh start: “We never had the chance to build a new bike”
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP 14 h
KTM sees MotoGP 2027 as a fresh start: “We never had the chance to build a new bike”
Feature
Discover prime content
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe