MERCEDES have reportedly hired private investigators to detect the source of anonymous messages that claimed Lewis Hamilton is being ‘sabotaged’.
The 39-year-old is leaving the Silver Arrows at the end of the season after having confirmed he’d sign a two-year deal with F1 rivals Ferrari.
In a statement released today, meanwhile, Northamptonshire Police said no crime has been committed.
But Mercedes have outsourced the matter to a firm that specialises in these kinds of private investigations, according to The Mail.
A spokesperson told The Mail: “It is being dealt with externally.”
This development comes after Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff stated last week that he would ‘go full force’ over the accusations.
The messages and email were sent to members of the Formula One community and Mercedes staff.
And the email purported to be from a Mercedes team member.
It was titled: ‘A potential death warrant for Lewis,’ and argued that the seven-time world champion was being endangered by being given cold tyres.
This allegation was then repeated in the phone messages.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
The correspondence claimed that a ‘scorned’ Wolff was favouring his other driver George Russell after Hamilton announced his decision to switch to Ferrari.
Ahead of last weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix, where Hamilton finished third, a place ahead of Russell, Wolff admitted he was unhappy with the allegations.
Wolf said: “It is not from a member of the team. But it is upsetting, particularly when someone is talking about death.
“I don’t know what some of the conspiracy theorists, lunatics, think out there.”
A police spokesman 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.”
A Mercedes spokesman told The Mail that the team believe the email was sent by a random Hamilton fan.
LEWIS HAMILTON has driven his way into pole position as Formula One's most prolific winner.
The British speedster lives life in the fast lane both on and off the track, with a string of high-profile romances and jet-set lifestyle.
Hamilton made his name at McLaren and Mercedes but stunned the racing world by signing a £100million deal to join Ferrari for next season.
His exploits have seen him rub shoulders with Hollywood icon Brad Pitt but Lew snubbed the chance to feature in Top Gun 2.
And fans can follow his fortunes on the latest season of Netflix’s smash hit Drive To Survive.
Hamilton’s talent saw him go from humble origins in Stevenage to boasting an £11m car collection.
He joined celeb dating app Raya after splitting from Brazilian beauty Juliana Nalu.
And his exes are said to include Rita Ora, Rihanna and Nicole Scherzinger.
Hamilton was embroiled in a bitter feud with Nico Rosberg but the pair buried the hatchet to sport £35k watches they were given for FREE.
He also shared high-profile battles with Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel.
But his most shocking showdown saw Max Verstappen handed the World Championship over him by a controversial safety car decision.
The Brit is chasing a record eighth world title – the first of which came in 2008 and has seen Felipe Masa sue F1 for £62m after a crash saw him miss out.
Check out all our Lewis Hamilton articles here.
