LEWIS THE LION

Mercedes boss: Hamilton will roar back after Austria shambles

THE largest crowd at any British sporting day of the year, watching the most highly-paid sportsman in the country’s history, at a venue in the middle of England, might hear the roar of a lion.

That was the verdict of Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes boss, Toto Wolff, as he contemplated whether his star man’s behaviour, reacting badly to a strategy error at last weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, made him a diva.

Speaking at lunch on top of the Mercedes motorhome, over a main course of turbot and looking forward to tomorrow’s British Grand Prix, Wolff said: ‘You need a lion in the car that is giving it everything. The best ones are also sensitive.’

In an attempt to appease Hamilton in Austria, Mercedes’ chief strategist James Vowles repeatedly confessed to his mistake. But, as it transpired, did nothing to placate the Brit, who was erratic before retiring.

Wolff’s psychoanalysis of Hamilton runs so: ‘When I started this job, we had a lunchtime lecture from the head of performance at Saracens. He said they were troubled.

‘They had this really good group of rugby players. They parked their cars in the same place, looked after their sleep, had a stable family life and were diligent in their preparation. Then there was this other group of individuals that were the opposite. They were creative, were artists, had other interests.

‘The first group realised that they needed the others. That the others were the ones scoring the tries.

‘Where I sit, the importance is to get the best performance from each individual. Lewis scores the tries. I do not need to tell him off.’

Others believe it was wrong that Vowles went on the radio. ‘You would never have got Ross Brawn making a public confession like that to Michael Schumacher at Ferrari,’ said John Watson, winner of the British Grand Prix in 1981.

‘Lewis should remember that, without Mercedes, he would not be a quadruple world champion. He’s being very well paid and should get on with his job. Ross would have said: “We’ll discuss this after the race”.’ Wolff confirmed that Vowles’s

mea culpa was discussed on the pit wall before being issued. He also recited an email he had received from his employee.

‘There were a number of unfair comments about you after Austria,’ Vowles wrote to Wolff. ‘I am privileged to have the chance to work with you and continue to think in that manner.

‘You have provided an incredible environment for me to grow and work. I am in a good place and, furthermore, I am glad I did what I did on Sunday.’

Mercedes have made two or three strategic errors this season and stand accused of being slow movers in the white heat of a race — something they have been unused to for most of the past four years, by virtue of their power advantage.

But now Ferrari have drawn pretty much level, with Sebastian Vettel, who leads Hamilton by a point, second quickest behind the Briton in practice on the sun-baked Silverstone track yesterday.

Hamilton is about to sign a new £40million-a-year deal to stay at Mercedes and Wolff wants him to stay for a third contract, which would take him into retirement.

‘When could retirement be?’ asked Wolff of Hamilton. ‘He is 33, so has five very good years left in him.’ Mercedes know Hamilton may switch to Ferrari one day. He has said as much to friends.

But Wolff added: ‘I am openminded and if, in two years’ time, we still feel the same about each other, it is clear we would continue together.’