Wolff reveals message he sent to Hamilton after seeing former Mercedes man at Ferrari for first time

Wolff reveals message he sent to Hamilton after seeing former Mercedes man at Ferrari for first time

Toto Wolff, the head of Mercedes, recently shared his thoughts on Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, revealing that he reached out to his former driver after seeing the first photos of Hamilton at Ferrari. Wolff praised the seven-time World Champion for his “iconic” appearance in those pictures, calling them “so well curated,” which was no surprise given Hamilton’s attention to detail.

Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari marks the first time he will race for a team other than Mercedes since 2013, when he made the move from McLaren to Mercedes. During his time with the Silver Arrows, Hamilton won six Drivers’ Championships and helped Mercedes secure eight Constructors’ Championships. His Ferrari adventure began with an intensive pre-season programme that included a series of factory tours, introductions to team staff, simulator work, and even driving on-track in Ferrari’s previous machinery.

The significant shift in Hamilton’s career has caused quite a stir in the motorsport world, particularly as the Briton posted a picture on social media, showing himself dressed in an all-black suit, standing next to an F40 sports car outside Ferrari’s team buildings. Wolff’s reaction to Hamilton’s Ferrari debut reflected the emotional complexity of the situation, likening it to an amicable divorce. He humorously explained that it felt like seeing an ex-partner with a new friend, but assured that he was genuinely happy for Hamilton’s new chapter. Wolff also emphasized how iconic and impactful Hamilton’s first images at Ferrari were, underscoring his confidence that Hamilton’s presence at Ferrari would be significant and exciting for the sport.

Alongside this, Mercedes’ new recruit, Kimi Antonelli, an Italian teenager, was also present at the ceremony, where he spoke about his unique position of potentially replacing Hamilton in the future. Antonelli noted the strange nature of the situation, as an Italian driver is moving to Mercedes, while an English driver has joined Ferrari, a dynamic that is sure to generate plenty of attention. He expressed his happiness about his new role and acknowledged the hype surrounding his debut, especially given the legacy of Hamilton, who joining Ferrari is “incredible” for the sport. Antonelli also mentioned that there would likely be significant excitement surrounding Hamilton’s Ferrari stint, particularly during the Italian Grand Prix.

Regarding Mercedes’ future without Hamilton, Wolff was cautious in his comments, offering few specific details about what to expect from the team in the upcoming season. The team had faced several challenges in the previous year, experiencing both highs and lows throughout the season. Wolff highlighted that there were dominant performances, such as in Las Vegas, but also races where Mercedes struggled. Despite this uncertainty, he emphasized that the true test of Mercedes’ performance would come when the season begins in earnest, with the first qualifying session at the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne. Wolff expressed confidence that all teams, including Mercedes, would be working hard to address their issues and improve their performance ahead of the new season.

In summary, Wolff’s reaction to Hamilton’s Ferrari move was mixed with admiration for the spectacle Hamilton created with his Ferrari debut, while also acknowledging the natural difficulty in seeing such a significant change. Mercedes, under Wolff’s leadership, is entering a new era without Hamilton, and though the team had a challenging previous season, the real test will come in the early stages of the 2025 season when the competitive order is revealed.