Toto Wolff explains reasons why ‘extravagant’ Lewis Hamilton ‘polarises’ people

AHEAD of the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, Toto Wolff explained why seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton is so divisive.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has explained why Lewis Hamilton is a divisive figure despite his success, citing his extravagant personality and way of life. Hamilton is currently clashing with Red Bull star Max Verstappen for an eighth title, and he is trailing the Dutchman with five races to go in what has been one of the great title battles in modern F1 history.

Hamilton became the first – and remains the only – black driver in Formula 1 history when he was signed by McLaren in 2007, and he became world champion a year later.

Lewis Hamilton

After making the switch to Mercedes in 2013 for the turbo-hybrid era which the German manufacturer dominated, the Brit has taken more pole positions and won more races than any other driver.

He has also drawn level with German legend Michael Schumacher on seven world championships – the most in the sport’s history.

Despite this, Hamilton appears to attract a surprising amount of negativity – and Wolff believes it stems from misplaced jealousy of the Brit and Mercedes’ dominance, as well as his back story and fight against social injustice.

“I think Lewis isn’t regarded as well here as he should be, but for many reasons,” the 49-year-old told the MailOnline.

“He had a lot of success immediately with McLaren, and the story of his earlier life, the financial struggles, the racism he was exposed to, is not something that was ever in the public eye.

“People didn’t see that. What they saw was a young man coming into Formula 1 and being successful from the get-go. And because he is also an extravagant person that polarises further. People can’t cope with it.

“Is there fundamental racism in the world, too? Perhaps there is. But I think more importantly all of us lose more than we win, every day, and it is very difficult then for people to cope with a person they think has it all, who wins all the time. The more you win the more people cheer for the underdog.”

Wolff also believes Hamilton’s timely switch to Mercedes, which has yielded six world championships, is used by people to play down the 36-year-old’s achievements.

However, the Austrian believes Hamilton will be truly respected and appreciated once he has retired.

“Only when he retires, I think, will people comprehend the magnitude of his achievements,” Wolff added.

“The people who say they could be world champions in Lewis’ car — well, why aren’t you in that car? Why did he switch from McLaren to Mercedes in 2013?

“It was a bold move. There are examples, even now, people who went for the money rather than the car.”

Hamilton was the last driver to win the championship in a year when he didn’t have the best car, in 2008 with McLaren when Ferrari were the leading constructors.

Formula 1 returns to the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez for the Mexican Grand Prix on November 7, with Red Bull star Verstappen holding a slender 12-point lead over Mercedes’ Hamilton – express.co.uk