Wolff hails ‘ inspiring’ driver

LEWIS HAMILTON’S Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes his driver is primed to break new ground following his historic win at the Eifel Grand Prix.

Hamilton is out of contract with Mercedes in less than three months but team principal Wolff, whose own future is uncertain, believes their dominance will continue.

“The record is something to be proud of but it should not trigger complacency,” said Wolff, who has overseen Hamilton’s brilliant run of success. “That risk does not exist in our team because we push for perfection and push for tomorrow rather than looking back. There is more to come if we jointly work well.”

Hamilton, 35, is firmly expected to continue his partnership with Mercedes as he closes in on a sixth title in seven years with the sport’s allconquering team.

The world champion enjoys a strong working relationship with Wolff, but the Austrian could step back from his role as team principal at the end of the season.

Wolff, 48, added: “It is unbelievable that Lewis has reached those 91 wins. For me, Michael Schumacher stood above all. He is an icon and equalising that record is almost surreal.

“Records are here to be broken and that is what Michael said, too, and Lewis is still on his journey.

“The Lewis Hamilton that we see today is nothing like the Lewis Hamilton I met in 2013 and that is the most impressive thing – that somebody who is performing on that level is still capable of getting better every year as a person outside of the car and in the car, too.

“It is truly inspiring and seeing him equalise Michael’s winning record, it’s much more emotional than I thought it would be.”