Mercedes F1 representative denies Lewis Hamilton's number 2 demotion theory[F1-Gate .com]

Toto Wolff, the head of the Mercedes F1 team, denied the view that George Russell had taken over the number one driver of the Mercedes F1.

23-year-old George Russell, who replaced Valtteri Bottas in the Mercedes F1 at the end of last season, is more competitive than seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton on a 2022 car struggling with popang problems. I’m showing you.

Former F1 drivers Ralf Schumacher and Jacques Villeneuve believe that a “peaceful transition” has taken place within the Mercedes F1 team.

“I rarely follow such comments,” Toto Wolff told Osterreich.

“When I hear one or two remarks, I can only smile about it. George is doing a good job, which is exactly what we expected of him. That’s what he expected of Mercedes. That’s why

Toto Wolff has lost focus as Lewis Hamilton, 37, looks nearly impossible to win his eighth title this year, and instead focuses on things like cracking down on FIA jewelery. He also denied the view.

“Within the team, we are completely unaware of that,” Toto Wolff claims.

“These are the background noise played in the press. Lewis and George are pushing each other.”

However, Toto Wolff admits that Red Bull’s Max Verstappen is clearly a candidate for the 2022 victory.

“Last year, Max drove a worse car than his current car and won the title. Now he has the fastest car and everything is easy for him. The pendulum is swinging in his favor.” Said Toto Wolff.

But Toto Wolff says it’s wrong to conclude that Mercedes F1 has already abandoned 2022 and believes the team can achieve a “mini milestone” with improvements in Barcelona this weekend.

“That’s what we want. Things can go the other way. We’re good at learning.”

But Toto Wolff isn’t fascinated by reports suggesting that some of Ferrari’s major upgrades in Barcelona include a new paint that’s almost 1kg lighter.

“I’ve been doing that for a long time this year,” Toto Wolff claims.

“We are already using the lightest paint.”