Wolff sees similar situation for Hamilton as McLaren in 2009

Toto Wolff has indicated that he thinks Mercedes’ current situation resembles Lewis Hamilton’s situation at McLaren in 2009. The driver and team boss have even had conversations about it, the Austrian indicated. Hamilton took his first win in Hungary after a difficult season in 2009. Wolff also praises both drivers, who he says always keep a cool head.

Wolff admitted to Express.com that he has had talks with Hamilton, looking back on the Briton’s difficult 2009 season at McLaren, when he only won a race in the 10th Grand Prix of the year. Mercedes has been lagging behind all season as it tries to get to the level of Red Bull Racing and Ferrari.

Mercedes has enjoyed a revival in form in recent months, with Hamilton taking his fifth consecutive podium at last weekend’s race at the Hungaroring. But Hamilton has yet to achieve his first win of the season.

Similar situation to McLaren in 2009 for Hamilton

At the Hungarian Grand Prix, there was a chance for Hamilton to repeat his 2009 performance. The Hungaroring race was his first win of the year in 2009, when McLaren was unable to keep up with the top teams. They had finished outside the top ten that year in the five Grands Prix leading up to the race in Hungary. But it soon clicked at the Hungaroring for Hamilton as he took advantage of both Sebastian Vettel and Fernando Alonso not finishing the race. He couldn’t repeat the trick this time.

Wolff praised both his drivers, who again took a double podium. “I really have to say that I admire how both drivers contributed, in their personal way, to the development of the car throughout the season. I’m not sitting here saying ‘Hurrah! We are back in the championship battle just because we are on pole. But whether it was P2 on Sunday or P14 after a free practice, they both kept their cool.’