LEWIS RAGES AS MERCEDES WOO VETTEL
That’s why he snubbed London
THE plot thickened around Lewis Hamilton’s extraordinary non- appearance at Formula One’s promotional event in London last night after it emerged that his Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was a guest at championship rival Sebastian Vettel’s 30th birthday party.
Wolff’s attendance at Vettel’s at-home celebration in Switzerland is all the more surprising given that the party took place between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix — at which Vettel rammed Hamilton off the road — and the FIA hearing into the collision the following Monday.
It is conceivable that Wolff’s decision to attend Vettel’s shindig is key to Hamilton’s apparent disgruntlement with his team — a situation seemingly so bad that it played a part in his staying away from Trafalgar Square last night.
The triple world champion was booed when mentioned on stage.
This is a PR disaster for Hamilton, Mercedes and new owners Liberty Media, who organised the extravaganza to promote the British Grand Prix, which will take place at Silverstone on Sunday.
Why Hamilton would stay away is almost beyond understanding. He was the only driver of the 20 on the grid not to be in London in front of his home fans.
He announced his intentions to swerve the event on Twitter and Instagram on Tuesday, but maintained radio silence yesterday.
Hamilton may well have been influenced by Wolff ’s equivocal remarks immediately after the Azerbaijan incident, in which Vettel drove into Hamilton in a fit of rage.
Asked for his comments, Wolff said he needed to speak to Vettel first before pronouncing — a staggeringly open-minded comment from a boss who might have been expected to jump to his man’s defence, not least when Hamilton had been so obviously slighted.
This all adds to the suspicion that Wolff lff is lining up Vettel, , a German for a German team, as a replacement for Hamilton, whose future plans are uncertain.
Wolff looked ill at ease on stage in Trafalgar Square — hehe has been suffering from flu but is said to have recovered — as he was pressed about Hamilton’s absence.
He said: ‘Lewis feels he is in such a tough championship fight that he needed the days off after Austria, but you can see him at Silverstone.’
Hamilton’s name was booed when 1996 world champion Damon Hill, holding the RAC trophy awarded to the British Grand Prix winner, told the crowd of thousands that if they closed their eyes they could dream that Hamilton would win the race.
Towards the end of the evening, all the Formula One drivers were welcomed on stage. Only one man was missing — Hamilton. It was sad to see him slit hish own throat so wantonlywa in front of theth countrymen anda women he has represented so brilliantly by hish driving.
As the evening drewd to a close, Hamilton’sH old rivalriv and current worldworl champion Nico Rosberg,Rosber mischievously asked the crowd who they wanted to win the British Grand Prix on Sunday, Vettel or Hamilton?
The Brit got a slightly bigger cheer, but Vettel’s support was robust.
‘I’m surprised Sebastian has a lot of support,’ said Rosberg, who had flown to London for the evening.
Vettel got a generous reception when he stepped on to the stage. Not a single boo could be heard.
Hamilton, speaking last month, said he felt muchmaligned at home, having moved first to Switzerland and then to Monaco.
‘I don’t think I’ve done any wrongdoings to anyone in my life, and I never feel in any part of my day that I deserve anything,’ he said.
‘Does my love for the UK feel that it is reflected in equal amounts?
‘I don’t know. I think the love that I get when I go to the British Grand Prix is immense and I’ve won Sports
Personality of the Year in the past, people. But do people know how much I love the UK? Maybe not enough.
‘When I’m on the podium and I carry the flag, hopefully people will start to see my patriotism.
‘ It’s something I’m very proud of and maybe that’s just going to take time.’
As for Wolff attending Vettel’s party, a Mercedes spokesman said: ‘Toto has never commented and will never comment on his private life.’