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Toto Wolff has ruthlessly honest wish for Lewis Hamilton as Mercedes exit nears
Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, recently made light of the impending departure of Lewis Hamilton from the team, joking that he hoped Hamilton’s new car at Ferrari would not be as fast as the Mercedes machines he has driven for the past 13 years. Hamilton, one of the most successful drivers in Formula 1 history, is set to leave the Silver Arrows at the end of the 2024 season, marking the conclusion of an incredibly successful era that has included multiple World Championship titles and numerous race victories.
As Hamilton prepares for his move to Ferrari, Wolff addressed the emotions within the Mercedes camp, especially during the lead-up to the final few races of the season. Despite Hamilton’s imminent departure, Wolff emphasized that, at present, the team was still focused on the ongoing season. He explained that while there have been no major changes to the way Mercedes operates on a day-to-day basis, there have been fewer discussions regarding long-term development over the past few months. The team is very much concentrating on finishing the season strong, without allowing the looming departure of their star driver to overly impact their approach to the final races of the year.
Wolff acknowledged that the full emotional weight of Hamilton’s departure would likely hit the team as the final race of the season approaches, particularly as the team shares its final moments with Hamilton. Reflecting on the incredible partnership between the team and the British driver, Wolff noted that this relationship has been truly special, lasting for more than a decade and a half. Over the years, Hamilton has helped lead the team to a dominant era in Formula 1, with Mercedes and Hamilton dominating the sport’s landscape.
However, Wolff also emphasized that while the team would lose Hamilton as their driver, they would not lose him as a person, as Hamilton is set to continue racing in Formula 1 with Ferrari starting in 2025. Wolff highlighted the excitement within the Mercedes camp about the future of the team, with their new drivers set to be 18-year-old rookie Oscar Piastri and the 27-year-old George Russell. This represents a new chapter for Mercedes, one that includes two young, talented drivers who are expected to carry the team forward into the future. Wolff expressed a sense of optimism about what lies ahead, noting that while the team would certainly miss Hamilton’s presence, they were excited about the new dynamic and the opportunities these young drivers would bring.
Despite the excitement for the future, Wolff did not hide the team’s well-wishes for Hamilton as he embarks on this new phase of his career with Ferrari. While the team is parting ways with one of the most successful drivers in the history of the sport, Wolff expressed personal happiness for Hamilton, wishing him all the best in his future endeavors. In his typically jovial manner, Wolff even joked that he hoped Hamilton’s new car would not be as fast as the Mercedes, but also acknowledged that Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari was entirely his own and something Mercedes accepted without bitterness.
Wolff’s comments reflect a sense of respect and mutual understanding between him and Hamilton, despite the fact that their partnership is coming to an end. Wolff seemed to express a genuine desire for Hamilton’s happiness and success in the future, while also signaling that Mercedes is ready for its next phase with a younger, dynamic driver lineup. As the season heads into its final races, there will likely be a mix of emotions for both Mercedes and Hamilton, but for now, Wolff’s focus is on finishing the current season with strength and looking forward to the future with a renewed sense of ambition and excitement.
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