Just In: Toto Wolff reveals Carlos Sainz Sr tip-off about Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari…read more
Toto Wolff reveals Carlos Sainz Sr tip-off about Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari…read more
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff recently shared how he first learned of Lewis Hamilton’s surprising decision to leave the team for Ferrari in 2025. The seven-time world champion’s move to Ferrari after twelve years with Mercedes stunned the F1 community. In February, Hamilton announced he would activate an exit clause in his Mercedes contract to make the switch, where he is set to take over Carlos Sainz Jr.’s seat.
In an interview on the High Performance podcast, Wolff disclosed that he initially got word of the potential transfer through an unexpected source—Carlos Sainz Sr., father of Ferrari’s outgoing driver, Carlos Sainz Jr. Wolff described this conversation as a key early hint of what was about to unfold.
“So I heard the bells ringing two weeks before,” Wolff explained. “The old man Sainz called me and said, ‘This is what’s happening.’” Wolff also noted that other fathers of drivers who had never contacted him before also reached out around that time, making him even more suspicious. “A few drivers’ dads rang me up that didn’t before, so I thought, ‘Okay… there’s something going on here,’” he added.
Wolff’s suspicions grew stronger, prompting him to reach out to Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur for clarification. However, his attempt to connect with Vasseur only deepened his concerns, as he was met with silence. “Then I sent a text to Fred Vasseur saying, ‘You’re taking our driver?’ and didn’t get any response,” Wolff recounted. “That’s very unusual for Fred; he’s a good friend. So yeah, I saw it coming.”
According to Wolff, Hamilton formally confirmed his decision in person during a routine visit to his home prior to the public announcement. Wolff recalled that their conversation began like many others, with light talk about personal matters. However, the tone quickly shifted when Hamilton hinted at the news he had to share. “I said, ‘We’re recruiting from Ferrari now; we’ve got this guy,’ and Lewis was like, ‘Ooh, there’s something I need to tell you.’”
Wolff admitted that the reality of Hamilton’s departure took a moment to sink in. “When he said that, that initial moment was a little bit of, ‘So this is really happening; I can’t imagine you anywhere else but Mercedes,’” Wolff reflected. However, he noted that he quickly pivoted to considering the possibilities that lay ahead. “But instantly, it’s, ‘OK, what are we doing with this? There is always opportunity,’” he concluded.
Hamilton’s move marks the end of a legendary partnership with Mercedes and sets the stage for an exciting new chapter in F1 as he joins Ferrari in 2025, taking over Sainz’s spot and setting the scene for a significant shake-up among the top teams.
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