Wolff on Lewis Hamilton: “He played very evenly” / Formula 1

The team plays a cue from the seven-time world champion in a tough race.

After contact with Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton suffered minor damage to his front wing in the Japanese Grand Prix. That cost him energy and thus performance. Shortly afterwards he was no longer able to keep up with Leclerc in fifth ahead of him. Meanwhile, Mercedes team-mate George Russell was increasingly catching up with Hamilton.

Hamilton says on the radio: “George is faster than me. I’m understeer too much.” And later: “Should I let George pass?” And that’s what happens. Hamilton then lets his teammate pass on lap 14.

Team boss Toto Wolff after the race on English Channel 4: “It was very fair from him. It’s not that he gave up the podium, but it was to understand why he wasn’t fast at that time.”

The two Mercedes exchanged positions not only in that situation, but also throughout the race: Russell started in ninth place and finished the race in seventh place. Hamilton started the race in seventh place and finished ninth.

Mercedes remains without a podium finish in the fourth race of the season. They are fourth in the constructors’ championship, one point ahead of Aston Martin. Best finish of the year so far: George Russell’s fifth place in the opening race in Bahrain.

Japan-GP, Suzuka Circuit

01. Max Verstappen (NL), Red Bull Racing, 1:54:23,566 h
02. Sergio Pérez (MEX), Red Bull Racing, +12.535 seconds
03. Carlos Sainz (E), Ferrari, +20,866
04. Charles Leclerc (MC), Ferrari, +26,522
05. Lando Norris (GB), McLaren, +29.700
06. Fernando Alonso (E), Aston Martin, +44,272
07. George Russell (GB), Mercedes, +45,951
08. Oscar Piastri (AUS), McLaren, +47.525
09. Lewis Hamilton (GB), Mercedes, +48,626
10. Yuki Tsunoda (J), Racing Bulls, +1 Round
11. Nico Hülkenberg (D), Haas, +1 lap
12. Lance Stroll (CDN), Aston Martin, +1 Round
13. Kevin Magnussen (DK), Haas, +1 Lap
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN), clean, +1 lap
15. Esteban Ocon (F), Alpine, +1 Round
16. Pierre Gasly (F), Alpine, +1 Round
17. Logan Sargeant (USA), Williams, +1 Round

outside
Guanyu Zhou (RCH), Sauber, Elektrik
Alex Albon (T), Williams, Crash
Daniel Ricciardo (AUS), Racing Bull, Crash

World Championship Standings (after 4 out of 24 Grands Prix)

the driver
01. Verstappen 77 points
02. Perez 64
03. Leclerc 59
04. Sainz 55
05. Norris 37
06. Plate 32
07. Russell 24
08. Alonso 24
09. Hamilton 10
10. Walk 7
11. Tsunoda 7
12. Oliver Bearman (GB) 6
13. Hulkenberg 3
14. Magnussen 1
15. Alboni 0
16. Zhou 0
17. Ricciardo 0
18. Okon 0
19. 0 gas
20. Bota 0
21. Sergeant 0

Builders Cup
01. Red Bull Racing 141 Punkte
02. Ferrari 120
03. McLaren 69
04. Mercedes 34
05. Aston Martin 33
06. Running Bull 7
07. Especially 4
08. Williams 0
09. Sauber 0
10. Alpine 0