Wolff issues serious warning over Hamilton title bid: 'If he smells blood, he goes'

Speaking to GPBlog among other media after the race, Wolff was full of praise for Hamilton following the Briton's first Ferrari victory. The Mercedes team principal highlighted the hard work Hamilton has put in behind the scenes and the difficult period he endured last season, admitting he was genuinely delighted to see his former driver return to the top step of the podium. Wolff also felt the result was thoroughly deserved, regardless of the Virtual Safety Car that helped shape the outcome of the race.

Shifting the focus to whether he sees Hamilton as a genuine title contender, Wolff admitted he would rather not find himself battling the seven-time world champion for the championship. The Austrian pointed to Hamilton's ability to build momentum once he senses an opportunity, recalling how difficult he was to stop during his dominant years.

Asked whether an eighth world title for Hamilton is now a realistic possibility, Wolff replied: "Yes, absolutely. We are so early in the season. The gap is 41 points. You see a DNF, it robs you of 25 points, and it's wide open. That's why we can't afford not to finish. We need to just keep putting performance on the car and on the power unit, keep not making mistakes, be clever with the strategy, and stay absolutely on it."

Wolff believes Hamilton's return to the front is the result of several factors coming together at the right time. The Mercedes boss pointed to the Briton's relentless work ethic, but also suggested that the current generation of cars may suit his driving style better than the ground-effect machines that dominated recent seasons. He also highlighted the strong relationship Hamilton appears to have built with his Ferrari race engineer, describing the atmosphere around the team as particularly positive.

Beyond the technical side, Wolff suggested Hamilton seems to be in an excellent place away from the racetrack as well. After seeing his emotional reaction following victory in Barcelona, the Austrian joked that his relationship with Kim Kardashian might be playing a role, before stressing that personal happiness, stability in private life and confidence within a team often go hand in hand with success on track. In his view, when a driver is thriving emotionally, personally and professionally, strong results tend to follow naturally.