“Distance from Wolff”
Villeneuve wants to know why Hamilton is silent
01/24/2022, 5:35 p.m
Lewis Hamilton doesn’t say a word. Since the dramatic season finale of Formula 1, in which he lost the title in the final meters, the record world champion has been publicly silent. A former world champion interprets the Brit’s speechlessness as a clear internal statement.
The silence of Lewis Hamilton – it is the subject of the Formula 1 winter break, possibly just a “winter slump”. But: The longer the dethroned regent does not send any signals regarding his future in the premier class, the more speculation and interpretations shoot up. The most recent example: Jacques Villeneuve, who works as a kitchen psychologist and explains to us what goes on in the mind of Sir Lewis.
“I interpret his silence as a way to distance himself from Toto Wolff,” said Villeneuve the “Gazzetta dello Sport”. The Mercedes team boss proved to be a bad loser with his radio messages to race director Michael Masi during the dramatic season finale in Abu Dhabi.
“You can lose in style, instead Toto behaved like someone who plays monopoly and knocks everything over because he loses,” said the Canadian. “To me, he’s damaged his image and Hamilton is sensitive to that issue because he’s thinking about his future in America, maybe in Hollywood.” British media recently reported that Hamilton was involved in a film project with Hollywood star Brad Pitt.
“A little bit tired”
According to Villeneuve, Hamilton will weigh up very carefully whether it is worth getting back into the Silver Arrow to attack record title number 8. “It depends on how good the new Mercedes is, whether it will be easy to win or not.” The 1997 world champion believes that if things get complicated, the Briton could give up his racing overalls.
Hamilton was also “a bit tired,” diagnosed Villeneuve. “He’s had quiet years since Nico Rosberg retired and he certainly doesn’t want to see another year like the last one. He thought he could just break records and that wasn’t the case. And then when you lose the title like that – it’s, It’s like holding a diamond that’s being taken away from you. It hurts a lot more than if Verstappen had led the whole race.”