Toto Wolff praises Lewis Hamilton for ‘extremely fair play’ by giving up position to George Russell at the Japanese GP

Lewis Hamilton’s decision to let teammate George Russell through brought in some much-needed points for Mercedes

Toto Wolff [L] Lewis Hamilton [R] (images via IMAGO)

Lewis Hamilton faced multiple issues during the Japanese GP. Mercedes’ struggles in the ground-effect era have continued this season. During the race, the 39-year-old let George Russell through to help him secure a better finish. Hence, Toto Wolff was all praises for the seven-time world champion’s team play.

Lewis Hamilton suggested to let Russell to Mercedes on team radio. The 39-year-old revealed the reason for making such a shocking call. However, fans criticized the move to let Russell through. Mercedes even threw the former world champion under the bus and mentioned how the final call was Hamilton’s.

Regardless of the criticism, Hamilton’s move enabled George Russell to finish in P7 for the Japanese GP. Hence, Toto Wolff applauded the seven-time world champion for this call, labeling it as ‘extremely fair play.’ Additionally, the Austrian asserted that Lewis Hamilton was aware that there were no chances of a podium finish. On the contrary, the 39-year-old was worried about why he wasn’t quick during the time.

It was extremely fair played by him. It wasn't that he gave up a position for a podium, but he was concerned with understanding why he wasn't quick at the time. 

Toto Wolff told English Channel 4 (H&T: speedweek.com).

Toto Wolff claims ‘three degrees of difference’ caused Lewis Hamilton to perform poorly at the Japanese GP

Lewis Hamilton’s struggles took away any chances of a potential podium in the race. Hence, the 39-year-old was disappointed with his result. Amidst this, Toto Wolff revealed the cause behind Hamilton’s poor performance at the Suzuka circuit. Wolff pointed towards the three degrees of difference in temperature between the two stints that caused the issues.

There were three degrees of difference in track temperature between stint one and stint two and, as far as I know, there is a relationship between our performance and track temperature.

Toto Wolff said, as reported by msn.com.

Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff (Via: IMAGO)
Although the team principal made it clear that this wasn’t the concrete reason for Mercedes’ poor performance. Wolff mentioned that the team was simply trying to stretch the stint as long as possible. This was done to ensure that the team could stick to a one-stop strategy in order to score a better finish.

I don't think this was the reason for our negative performance in the first stint but we were simply trying to stretch it to make one stop.

Toto Wolff noted.

Hence, Mercedes would need to desperately rediscover their form to return back to their winning ways. As things are, Brackley has no chance of competing for the world championship against Red Bull. The team’s hopes of helping Lewis Hamilton finish the season on a ‘high’ are constantly faltering.