Lewis Hamilton has handed a stinging response to Toto Wolff after the Mercedes boss controversial “shelf-life” comment.
In a book released in November 2024 charting the inside story of Mercedes’ season, Wolff said that Hamilton’s decision to quit for Ferrari for ’25 “helps us because it avoids the moment where we need to tell the sport’s most iconic driver that we want to stop … We’re in a sport where cognitive sharpness is extremely important, and I believe everyone has a shelf life.”
He later clarified his comments, maintaining that Hamilton remained “sharp” as the seven-time world champion prepared for his move to Ferrari to start his 19th F1 season, at 40 years old.
Hamilton has settled in well during pre-season testing at Ferrari, and on Day 2 of running had set the fastest lap of the test thus far, before being usurped by just 0.031s by Carlos Sainz, ironically the driver he replaced alongside Charles Leclerc.
Reflecting on Wolff’s ‘shelf life’ comment, Hamilton launched a passionate defence.
“Don’t ever compare me to anybody else,” he told TIME.
“I’m the first and only black driver that’s ever been in this sport, I’m built different.
“I’ve been through a lot, I’ve had my own journey and you can’t compare me to another 40-year-old, past or present Formula 1 driver in history.
“Because they are nothing like me. I’m hungry, driven, I don’t have a wife and kids.
“I’m focused on one thing, and that’s winning. That is my number one priority.”
