Wolff: No issue dealing with frustrated Hamilton radio messages

Toto Wolff says Mercedes has no issue dealing with frustrated radio messages from Lewis Hamilton during races after the Formula 1 world champion raised concerns about the team’s strategy during Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.

Hamilton vented his frustration via team radio after Mercedes kept him out too long during his first stint of the race at Suzuka, causing him to lose time to teammate Valtteri Bottas and Ferrari rival Sebastian Vettel, both of whom he trailed at the chequered flag.

Hamilton called the strategy a “f**k up” over radio during the race, and said afterwards that he would look to review the decision to keep him out with the team in a bid to avoid a repeat of the error in the future.

Speaking after the race at Suzuka, Wolff said that managing Hamilton’s frustration in moments like that was straightforward and understandable, saying it would only help Mercedes to grow stronger in the future.

“It’s not hard at all, because we completely acknowledge that a driver is eager to win and wants to maximise every opportunity, and if you don’t it’s simply annoying,” Wolff said.

“I think we completely understand each other’s position. Lewis knows that very well and has total understanding for us in the garage. It’s very difficult to take the right decisions in order to ensure maximum points.

“As long as you embrace the different positions, we have always come back, discussed it and moved forward as an even stronger unit.”

Mercedes did consider keeping Hamilton out on a one-stop strategy towards the end of the race, only to bring him in for a second change of tyres late on that cost him track position to Bottas and Vettel.