Toto Wolff appears to make subtle Lewis Hamilton title dig live on Sky Sports

Toto Wolff appeared to aim a sly dig at Formula One CEO Stefano Domenicali when discussing Lewis Hamilton’s hopes of winning a record-breaking eighth Drivers’ Championship title before he retires from the sport. The Silver Arrows team principal was speaking live on Sky Sports alongside Domenicali, who joined him in a visit to Downing Street to discuss the importance of F1 to the British economy.

The pair also spoke about Hamilton, who has been left frustrated in his quest for an eighth title since losing out to Max Verstappen in controversial circumstances at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix two years ago. Wolff had nothing but praise for Hamilton as he delivered a glowing assessment of the 38-year-old’s character both on and off the track before seemingly firing a dig at Domenicali and the sport of F1 as a whole.

“Lewis Hamilton is clearly the most important personality in our sport,” said Wolff. “He’s so multidimensional, not only a racing driver and a world champion but he’s trailblazing for diversity and sustainability. There is no limit for Lewis Hamilton as a racing driver, as an entrepreneur, as a politician. I think he’s one of the most spectacular personalities and characters that I have ever met.”

Domenicali then chimed in to reveal that he would like to see Hamilton extend his stay at Mercedes, with the Brit’s existing contract set to expire at the end of this year as things stand.

“I would say more short-term we would love to see Lewis still fighting on the track, but I agree with Toto that he’s an incredible personality,” added Domenicali. “He has shown that he has raised the bar of interest in a lot of topics, but for the short-term I would say to Toto, make sure that he’s running with a good F1 car.”

Wolff then appeared to suggest that F1 bosses owe him the opportunity to win an unprecedented eighth title, with the FIA having come under heavy criticism for its handling of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix back in 2021. “We owe him an eighth championship,” said the Mercedes boss while looking Domenicali in the eye, before flashing a knowing look to the reporter asking the questions.

Race director Michael Masi, who has since been relieved of his duties, was found to have circumvented the rules in Abu Dhabi by allowing only some lapped cars to overtake the safety car during the closing stages of the race. He also ignored the standard procedure by resuming the race on the very next lap, rather than completing another full lap behind the safety car once the lapped cars had repositioned themselves.

Many observers have since accused the FIA of ‘robbing’ Hamilton by breaking their own rules to hand that year’s title to Max Verstappen, with world rally champion Sebastien Ogier among those to have expressed his support for the Mercedes driver regarding the events of that fateful day.

“It must have been very difficult to accept,” Ogier told French media last year. “He had the impression of being robbed, and he has been robbed. Let’s not be afraid of words. Even though I have a lot of respect for Verstappen, he had an amazing season, he has not stolen the title.

“Both merits being champion but it is true that for this last weekend, Lewis was in front until the end. Unfortunately for him, a few laps before the end of the race there is the famous safety car, then they restart again. The truth is both would have been wonderful champions but on this last weekend, it is theft.”

Follow our Express Sport page on Instagram here.