Lewis Hamilton Fires Back at Toto Wolff’s ‘Conservative’ Ferrari Claims

Lewis Hamilton has addressed Toto Wolff’s comments about Ferrari being “conservative” with their approach to the flexi-wing debate in Formula 1. The new rules set to limit the amount of flex allowed in F1 front wings will take effect at the upcoming Spanish Grand Prix.

Mercedes team boss Wolff suggested Ferrari might benefit the most because they have followed a less aggressive design compared to Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes. This technical directive, effective on June 1 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, aims to close loopholes some teams have used to gain aerodynamic advantage.

Hamilton, who will join Ferrari next season, expressed skepticism about Wolff’s claim. He admitted he doesn’t know how the changes will impact the pecking order.

When asked about Wolff’s remarks, the seven-time world champion laughed and said he “hopes” Wolff is correct but “doesn’t have a clue” which teams will be most affected. He noted that during simulator runs, he did not notice a significant difference and questioned the basis for Wolff’s view that Ferrari would gain more than others.

The flexi-wing issue has been controversial in F1’s ground-effect era. Several teams have sought small advantages through subtle front wing flexibility to boost cornering performance.

Hamilton commented that flexi-wings were mostly a temporary fix to what he termed a “poorly designed” regulation. All teams have had to innovate to achieve the right setup, and he described the challenge of making mechanical changes to generate necessary front-end load at low speeds.

He added that some teams manage this adaptation better than others. The British driver believes the Spanish Grand Prix will provide valuable insight into how teams adapt to the latest regulations.

With less allowed flex in the front wing, drivers might see changes in both high-speed and low-speed cornering performance. Teams that previously maximized wing flex may need to adjust setups, while those with more traditional approaches could experience less disruption.

Ferrari has taken a measured approach to wing flexibility in recent seasons. If Wolff’s assessment is correct, Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz could see fewer performance losses than their rivals in Spain.

However, until the cars run in race conditions, the true impact remains uncertain. Hamilton’s remarks reflect genuine uncertainty across the paddock as teams await the real effects of these changes.

With Ferrari, Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes locked in a tight battle this year, even small technical shifts could influence key results. The first definitive answers will emerge during the Barcelona weekend, as F1’s top teams assess how the new rules affect the balance of power.