Mercedes F1 boss calls the police to investigate ‘Lewis Hamilton sabotage’ email - “All of these mad people, take a shrink”

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has slammed the "mad people," who claimed that the team was sabotaging Lewis Hamilton's car in his final season with the Silver Arrows.

Following the Canadian Grand Prix, several members of the media and F1 figures received an email from an anonymous source claiming to be a Mercedes employee. The email claimed that the team was deliberately sabotaging the seven-time world champion's W15.

Ahead of the Spanish GP, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has confirmed that the email didn't originate from any member of the team. He mentioned that they receive numerous emails of a similar nature. Wolff also stated that the team is investigating the source of the message and has involved the police to look into the matter.

"It is not from a member of the team. When we get these emails - and we get tonnes of these kinds of emails - it is upsetting, particularly when someone is talking about death. So on this one I have instructed (the team) to go on full force. We have the police inquiring, we are researching the email address and telephone," Wolff was quoted as saying by Sky Sports.

Wolff lambasted the "conspiracy theorists" and the "lunatics," firmly stating that online abuse of such kind has to stop. He urged those making such claims to seek help from a psychiatrist.

"Online abuse like that has to stop. People can’t hide behind their computers and abuse teams or drivers like this. I don’t know what some of the conspiracy theorists and lunatics think out there, but Lewis was on the team for 12 years, we trust each other, and we want to end on a high. All of these mad people out there, take a shrink." he added.

The Mercedes team principal added that Lewis Hamilton and the team desire to end their 12-year journey on a high note.

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Lewis Hamilton comments on Mercedes's "sabotage" theory

The email sent to the media and F1 figures claimed that Mercedes was systematically sabotaging Lewis Hamilton's strategy. It further mentioned that Toto Wolff and George Russell were mistreating the seven-time world champion.

During the press conference on Thursday, ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix, Hamilton addressed the email circulating among the F1 paddock and stated that he was not aware of its existence. He also said that he the team is consistently looking to improve its performance.

"Of course, things can always be done better within the team and that comes through conversations and communication. That is something we are consistently working on. We all want to finish on a high and I feel we owe that to our long-term relationship." he was quoted by BBC Sport.

As such, it is clear that Lewis Hamilton remains focused on ending his farewell tour with the Silver Arrows on a high note.