Police: No criminal offence in Mercedes "sabotage" Hamilton email

At the recent Spanish Grand Prix, team principal Toto Wolff vowed to go “full force” in response to the correspondence – allegedly sent by a disgruntled Mercedes staff member – titled “a potential death warrant for Lewis”.

The email, addressed to Wolff, F1 boss Stefano Domenicali, FIA president Mohammed ben Sulayem, as well as other major players in the paddock, and full-time accredited F1 media, was sent on June 10, a day after the Canadian Grand Prix – a race where Hamilton was overtaken by teammate George Russell on the penultimate lap.

PA news agency reports that a police spokeswoman said: “Northamptonshire Police received a report on June 12 regarding an email that had been circulated within the Mercedes AMG F1 Team. No criminal offences were found to have been committed however advice was given regarding any further emails the team may receive.”

ExF1 driver turned pundit, Johnny Herbert staunchly refused to believe that Mercedes are "sabotaging" his fellow Briton and slammed those claiming so. Furthermore, despite the 'closed case' for now, it is understood the Silver Arrows have been urged to report any future such correspondence to the police.

The email accused Wolff of being “vindictive” and said the team is doing everything possible to get back at him (Hamilton)” for electing to quit Mercedes for Ferrari.

Wolff is also adamant the email did not originate from within his own organisation and called on “lunatic conspiracy theorists” to “see a shrink” if they think the team is working against Hamilton.

After Sunday’s race in Spain, which saw Hamilton finally end his losing streak to Russell – out-qualifying his fellow Briton and then taking his first podium of the season, Wolff re-iterated his stance: “These conspiracy theorists, I have zero respect for. They have no brain!

"We want a car that wins races and championships and who doesn’t get that should be watching another sport. It’s good to see that Lewis has had a great weekend, because it has been a while that he has been on the receiving end and strategy has worked against him.

But it went in his favour so I am happy we have that podium for him because it has been a while," added the Mercedes boss. Notably, Hamilton has not won a Grand Prix since he triumphed at the 2021 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the occasion of his record-103rd victory in F1.