Wolff: No issue for Hamilton to be polarising with messaging
Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff says there is no issue with Lewis Hamilton being polarising in order to speak out about important issues and use his platform


Hamilton wrapped up his seventh F1 world championship in Turkey last weekend, equalling Michael Schumacher's all-time record with three races to spare in the 2020 season.
It came after a year that has seen Hamilton find his voice and use his platform on issues such as racial equality and improving diversity within motorsport, something he said is more significant than his on-track achievements.
Hamilton set up The Hamilton Commission earlier this year in a bid to improve diversity in racing, and regularly uses his social media platforms with over 27 million folllowers to highlight issues that are important to him.
Although it has led to criticism from some fans that Hamilton should focus more on racing, Mercedes chief Wolff said it was fine for the British driver to polarise people if it meant he spoke out about important messages.
"What I always say is that not only as a racing driver he has developed, but also as a strong personality," Wolff said.
"There are topics that are very close to his heart, and because of his large audiences, he has realised he has a voice and he wanted to utilise his voice to support the topics that are close to his heart.
PLUS: The Lewis Hamilton trait that only helps fuel his critics
"I think that is absolutely acceptable, and he has gained more profile through that.
"He is obviously polarising, but that is OK, because you would want to rather polarise and get the message out, rather than be down the middle and too streamlined."

Matching Schumacher's seventh title was the latest major landmark for Hamilton through 2020, having also become F1's all-time wins record holder in October.
He is poised to become the first driver in F1 history to hold over 100 wins and 100 pole positions, and will start 2020 as the favourite to take an unprecedented eighth championship.
Wolff said that Hamilton's on-track success would only help his platform to grow and allow for him to speak to a wider audience about important issues.
"He is always very aware that through success in Formula 1 and as a racing driver with outstanding records, he will grow his audiences and his credibility," Wolff said.
"That is clear. That is why these two things nurture each other.
"Obviously his main base is racing and driving and that is the main platform, so all the others become more credible."

Ricciardo: 2020 F1 campaign most enjoyable season since 2016
The Lewis Hamilton trait that only helps fuel his critics

Latest news
The five factors behind Sainz winning a British GP he’d twice lost
Formula 1 has a newest race winner, in a grand prix the victor appeared to have lost twice, only to charge back to headline a sensational and dramatic British Grand Prix. From a massive start crash to a late sprint finish, here’s how five factors saw Carlos Sainz take his maiden grand prix win
Why there was no case to answer in Aston’s latest F1 copycat saga
The appearance of a revised Aston Martin in Spain caused controversy but PAT SYMONDS explains why the FIA investigation found the Silverstone team had no case to answer
Why it's Red Bull that really leads a three-way fight so far at Silverstone
After a slow start to Friday at Silverstone, all the Formula 1 teams had to effectively cram in a day’s worth of practice into one hour. But there was still plenty to learn and while Ferrari topped the times, a three-way battle is brewing ahead of the British Grand Prix
Why the future is bright for the British GP
It wasn’t so long ago the situation looked bleak at Silverstone with the future of the British Grand Prix under threat. But a transformation has seen it restored to one of the most important races on the Formula 1 calendar, with bigger and better to come
Could mixed fortunes for F1's leading Brits turn around at Silverstone?
For the first time in many years, none of the local racers starts among the favourites for the British Grand Prix. But George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris could have reasons for optimism
Verstappen exclusive: Why F1’s champion isn’t fazed by Silverstone return
Max Verstappen is the world’s number one racing driver… and he’s determined to keep it that way. Speaking exclusively to GP Racing's OLEG KARPOV, the Red Bull driver explains why he’s relishing the 2022 championship battle with Charles Leclerc – and why he’s not worried about returning to Silverstone, the scene of the biggest accident of his career last year
Why Red Bull’s RB17 hypercar can help its F1 team
On Tuesday, Red Bull laid out its plans to develop and build a new hypercar - the RB17 - penned by Adrian Newey. As the project itself sates Newey as a creative outlet, it also offers Red Bull's Formula 1 team a number of new and exciting avenues to pursue
What to expect from Mercedes as F1 returns to Silverstone
OPINION: The British Grand Prix is a home event for Lewis Hamilton and George Russell, with their Mercedes team based just a few miles away too. But there’s another reason why the Silver Arrows squad is eager to arrive at Silverstone this weekend, which may help it fix its remaining problems with its 2022 Formula 1 challenger