BREAKING NEWS: Toto Wolff asks if he regrets decisions which led to Lewis Hamilton’s… Read More
Toto Wolff asks if he regrets decisions which led to Lewis Hamilton’s… Read More
Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes and his upcoming move to Ferrari in 2025 has stirred significant attention within the F1 community. As Hamilton prepares to race at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, it is becoming increasingly clear that his days with Mercedes, the team where he won seven of his eight world titles, are numbered. Despite this, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff remains confident in the decisions that led to Hamilton’s exit.
Speaking to the BBC ahead of the Monza race weekend, Wolff was asked whether he had any regrets about the choices that ultimately resulted in Hamilton’s decision to sign with Ferrari for the 2025 season. His answer was direct: “No.” Wolff emphasized that the decisions were made transparently and in the best interests of both Hamilton and the team.
“We decided as a team for that, and we were always very transparent with Lewis,” Wolff explained. “The good thing with him is that he is able to put himself in your position and understand where we were coming from. So in that respect, there are no bad feelings, and there is no sense of betrayal.”
Wolff went on to acknowledge that Hamilton’s move to Ferrari might be beneficial for both parties. “It was also for the good of him to change,” Wolff stated. “This was the longest run between a driver and a team—12 years overall. And maybe he needed to change and reinvent himself.”
Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari, one of the most prestigious names in Formula 1, is a significant move for the 38-year-old driver. Ferrari’s legacy in the sport is unparalleled, and for many drivers, wearing Ferrari red is the pinnacle of their career. Wolff acknowledged this as well, saying, “Being a driver for Ferrari is super-prestigious. Maybe for us as a team, it’s also important to emancipate ourselves and go in a different direction.”
Mercedes’ form in the middle of the 2024 season has shown signs of revival after two challenging years. The team’s performance dipped after the controversial 2021 season finale in Abu Dhabi, where Lewis Hamilton lost out on a record-breaking eighth world title in dramatic fashion. Race director Michael Masi’s interpretation of the rules during a late-race safety car period allowed Max Verstappen to secure victory and the championship in a race that left Mercedes and Hamilton feeling aggrieved.
Reflecting on that moment, Wolff was candid about the emotional impact. “You have to look at it from a point more detached than we do,” Wolff said. “He [Hamilton] is the greatest F1 driver of all time. He has beaten all the records, and there is only this one with championships where he is equal with Michael Schumacher, another great—if not, with Lewis, the greatest driver. So, it is what it is. And we can’t change that.”
Despite the disappointment of losing the 2021 title, Wolff remains philosophical. “Would I have wanted it to go the other way? Absolutely,” he admitted. “Do I think what happened in 2021 was anywhere near fair? No, it wasn’t. But we can’t turn back time, and there are worse things than losing a race or a World Championship. There is more drama in the world out there.”
As Hamilton gears up for his final races with Mercedes, the team is determined to finish their time together on a high. Having recently secured wins at Silverstone and Spa, Hamilton is eager to return to the top step of the podium at Monza, a track that holds a special place in the heart of Ferrari and its passionate Italian fanbase.
Hamilton’s departure marks the end of an era for Mercedes, but it also opens a new chapter in his storied career. While the move to Ferrari is sure to generate excitement, Wolff remains focused on ensuring that Mercedes continues to push forward, even without the driver who helped them achieve unprecedented success over the past decade.
About The Author
