Hamilton praises leadership Wolff: 'I don't know any other leader who does that'

Lewis Hamilton admits ahead of the United States Grand Prix that Mercedes went down the wrong path in the 2022 Formula 1 season. He hopes his team can recover from the disappointing W13 and is betting on a battle between Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull Racing in 2023.

"Unlike at the beginning of the year where I said we don't make any mistakes... We're human and clearly we do," Hamilton admitted at the press conference, broadcast by Sky Sports. However, he is confident his team will come back on top and largely attributes that to Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.

Hamilton praises leadership Wolff

The German racing stable's strength, then, lies in leadership, according to Hamilton. "We have a great leader," he says. "Toto is focused as a leader to elevate people. I don't think I've know any other leader that I've worked with that says 'how are things at home, how can I support you better so you have more time with your wife, husband, partner, kids so that you come to work happier."

According to the 37-year-old Briton, this is how Wolff keeps Mercedes' team members optimally motivated. He is therefore confident that his team can come back stronger after a disappointing year. "I would like to think we are going to be the ones that are competing with Red Bull and being able to beat them again. I believe that for sure," Hamilton said firmly.

He also hopes Ferrari will be strong again in the coming years. He stresses that the Italian racing stable has had a difficult year, but that there are encouraging signs. Moreover, the Mercedes driver predicts that Red Bull may yet face competition from other teams: "I hope it's more than a two way battle next year. At least three of us, if not surprisingly more, why not McLaren or even Alpine?"