Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes Lewis Hamilton was the “differentiator” in Formula 1’s 2018 title battle, praising the Briton’s speed and consistency.
Hamilton clinched his fifth world title at last weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix, marking his fourth championship success since joining Mercedes in 2013.
Hamilton was locked in a tight battle with Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel through the opening half of the year before he pulled clear with a run of six wins in seven races, assisted by mistakes from his main rival.
“This is the best Lewis Hamilton that I have seen in the last six years," said Wolff. "He has driven better, and he has been better out of the car. He was very complete. He has been the differentiator.
"We had times where the car was good enough to win, and then there were times where the car was not good enough to win and he was very stable.
"His race craft is great. That was always one of his strengths, but this year it was definitely one of the key factors."
Wolff added that he sees no reason as to why Hamilton and Mercedes cannot continue to win more titles in the coming F1 seasons.
"One of his great character traits is that Lewis always concentrates on today,” he said. “I think he has strong values that his life has taught him, and he sticks to those values even on difficult days.
"I think if he is motivated and enjoys what he is doing, he can go on for many more years and as long as we can provide a car with which he can win a championship and he continues to drive like he does, this can be a relationship forever.
"But the reason why he has won that fifth championship is that he concentrates on the job in hand and doesn't look too far away.
“Because before reaching seven [to match all-time record-holder Michael Schumacher], there is a sixth to win, and we haven't scored a single point towards that one yet."
