F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Wolff: Hamilton 'extreme' lifestyle still allows him to 'blow everyone away'

Those who still believe that Lewis Hamilton's flamboyant lifestyle has a negative bearing on his performance might want to change their view following the driver's flawless Singapore weekend.

From qualifying on Saturday to the checkered flag on Sunday, the Silver Arrows driver didn't put a foot wrong, clinching his seventh win of the season and extending his lead in the championship over Sebastian Vettel to 40 points.

Hamilton's flawless performance came after a busy period of off-track activity and personal endeavors for the Brit that included the launch of his own fashion line. But according to Mercedes boss, it's all part of the driver's routine and ultimately, his well-being.

"For six years, I’ve heard people ask how can you allow Lewis to get off and fly around the world," Wolff said.

"You know what? He did it to his most extreme in the last 10 days.

"He loved it, he was in Shanghai on the catwalk, he was in New York a couple of days later, he came here rock and roll and he blew everyone away.

"Let’s be non-judgemental and allow everyone to judge how he performed best. And he knows best what is good for him."

Hamilton says his productive modus vivendi helps him balance his life, and while managing his agenda is a never-ending challenge, it does not happen to the detriment of his commitment to F1.

"As soon as I leave the races I’m able to switch off," Hamilton said.

"Trying to fit in the training, for example, has not been easy. But that’s not really how every single week goes for me – it’s just a hectic time for me with a lot going on in the outside world for me.

"I’ve travelled a lot more than I have all year long in these two weeks. But I think from experience I’ve been able to move around even more than I have these past two weeks and still arrive and be able to switch into race mode.

"There’s not a single moment during those two weeks, whilst I have those other things going on, that I’m not thinking about racing, not thinking about the championship or how I want to arrive," he added.

"I get a lot of energy from these different things that I do. I find it stimulating and I think you’ll see that my results have shown that for the past several years."

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Michael Delaney

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