Lewis Hamilton’s decision to swap Mercedes for Ferrari has left team principal Toto Wolff in a difficult position this season.
It’s unlikely that Toto Wolff will be very upset with Lewis Hamilton for choosing to switch from Mercedes to Ferrari in 2025. The Austrian team principal acknowledged in the spring of last year that he would not be upset if the seven-time world champion found equipment somewhere else that would allow him to win an unprecedented eighth World Championship.
Although Hamilton signed a two-year contract extension with the Silver Arrows last summer, he decided to shock the motorsport world by committing to drive for Ferrari in 2025 after witnessing his team struggle to catch up to back-to-back champions Red Bull during the latter parts of the season.
Wolff hinted at this possibility during the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in March of last year. “As a driver, nevertheless, if he wants to win another championship he needs to make sure he has the car,” he clarified, with Mercedes set for yet another disappointing season after the disappointing introduction of the W14.
He needs to look everywhere if we are unable to show that we can provide him with a car within the next few years. Though I don’t think he is doing it at that point, if it does happen in a year or two, I won’t be upset.”
Ferrari appeared more likely to challenge Red Bull even though the two teams finished the 2023 Constructors’ Championship only three points apart. With seven pole positions against Mercedes’ one, the Italian team had perhaps the faster package at the end of the year.
Following Hamilton’s major announcement, Wolff honored his word and released a sophisticated statement after Hamilton signed his Ferrari contract. Lewis, according to him, “will always be an important part of Mercedes motorsport history.” But we always knew that eventually, our collaboration would come to an end, and that time has finally arrived.
“We respect Lewis’s choice to look for a new challenge, and it’s exciting to think about the opportunities we have ahead of us. However, for the time being, we still have one season left, and our goal is to finish strong in 2024 by going racing.”
Hamilton will be hoping to snap his winning streak before calling time on his illustrious relationship with Mercedes. During his tenure with the Brackley-based team, the 39-year-old won six World Championship titles, but he hasn’t finished on the top step of the podium since the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix in 2021.
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