Lewis Hamilton boosted by 'personal anger' amid F1 struggles ahead of Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 news Lewis Hamilton Las Vegas Grand Prix

F1 news: Lewis Hamilton has endured a difficult season ahead of the Las Vegas Grand Prix

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 16/11/2023

- 09:19

Updated: 16/11/2023

- 09:27

The Stevenage-born racer has struggled as Sunday's race nears

Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has revealed 'personal anger' is fuelling his mission to secure an eighth F1 title for Lewis Hamilton.

Hamilton thought he'd made Formula One history in 2021 after the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix thart year.


Yet Max Verstappen won the title instead, with the Red Bull star since adding another two crowns to his collection.

Hamilton is, therefore, still stuck on seven championships - the same amount as the iconic Michael Schumacher.

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F1 news: Toto Wolff is keen to keep backing Lewis Hamilton as the Las Vegas Grand Prix moves closer

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The Briton has endured a difficult season so far and is yet to win a race prior to Sunday's Las Vegas Grand Prix.

In fact, it's now been two years since the Stevenage-born racer was last able to come out on top.

And Wolff has claimed 'personal anger' is fuelling his mission to make Hamilton a champion once again.

“We are living in a hamster wheel where time passes so quickly that it doesn’t feel like it has been two years," he told PA Media.

“I have a personal anger, and drive to make him win the eighth title because he should have had it.

“As a team principal, it is important to be fair and open with both drivers.

"But there is a big part of us that will always want to be a part of that story in undoing and overcoming 2021.”

Mercedes go into the race in Vegas on a low.

They were poor at the Brazil Grand Prix last time out, with both Hamilton and George Russell enduring a torrid day at the office.

Hamilton finished eighth, while Russell was unable to complete the race.

And Wolff has insisted Mercedes are doing everything possible to turn their situation around.

"We're giving it all to break a cycle," Wolff the Austrian added.

"We had five years of dominance of Ferrari, then we had a short spell of Red Bull, then it was us eight times in a row.

"Now it's the second Constructors' Championship for Red Bull or the third Drivers' Championship with a very good driver.

"We are giving it all we have back in the factory and at the racetrack.

"We're trying to come up with a car and an execution that is as good as it can be.

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F1 news: Lewis Hamilton and George Russell have arrived in Las Vegas ahead of the Grand Prix

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"We have a next cycle of regulatory engine 2026, but we have got to turn this around [before then]."

Meanwhile, controversy has surrounded the Las Vegas Grand Prix prior to the main event on Sunday.

Vegas residents are unhappy at the changes made to Sin City in recent times.

And Hamilton has now responded to the controversy by saying F1 chiefs must make sure locals are looked after.

“I’ve heard there’s been a lot of complaints about the event being here from the locals," he said.

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F1 news: Lewis Hamiilton has spoken about the controversy surrounding the Las Vegas Grand Prix

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“I think we have to be respectful of the locals here, so many people working so hard – there’s a lot of money and wealth in this city.

“We’ve got to make sure people are taken care of.

"We can’t be a circus that shows up that’s all glitz and glamour and people are affected negatively by it, in my opinion.”

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