Toto Wolff says his New Year’s message for Mercedes is “onward and upward” – one that didn’t mention Lewis Hamilton.
With the last word from the boss, which arrived in the form of an 18-second video clip, the Mercedes social media team clearly wanted to close 2021.
In a chic jacket and characteristic white shirt – he could have tried on his evening outfit from December 31st – Wolff looked back on a year in which Mercedes celebrated eight successive constructors’ championships.
The boss wanted to give the Mercedes family one last message before 2021 turns 22! pic.twitter.com/vH5AQpPtMX
– Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@ MercedesAMGF1) December 30, 2021
It was the toughest Formula 1 season the team has seen in the turbo-hybrid era as it posed a huge challenge to its supremacy over Red Bull, which resulted in Hamilton winning his drivers’ title in the last under controversial circumstances Lap of the last race in Abu Dhabi.
Aside from a brief interview at Parc Ferme after that Grand Prix, Hamilton has not commented publicly on either mainstream or social media since then – while Mercedes has chosen not to appeal the result.
The 36-year-old Briton’s silence has sparked speculation that he might be retiring and not teaming up with new colleague George Russell for the 2022 season as the younger Briton is set to replace Valtteri Bottas.
However, Hamilton’s brother Nicolas has hinted that the seven-time former world champion is just taking a break from social media.
Even so, Wolff didn’t mention any drivers in his New Year’s message to Mercedes fans.
“Hello everyone, this is a graduation”, the Austrian team boss began. “2021 is over, there have been some highs, there have been some lows, some fame and some drama. But in the end, this is what it feels like to be alive.
“So I wish you a wonderful New Year’s Eve and a happy 2022. On and on.”
Wolff obviously didn’t want to think further about the ups, downs, fame and drama he referred to in the video that had led to one of the most notable Formula 1 seasons in history.
Wolff, who turns 50 on January 12, five days after Hamilton’s 37 Abu Dhabi events.
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https://formulaone.news/mercedes/my-job-in-f1-antti-sports-performance-coach
