“Guardiola’s Advice Guides Wolff as Hamilton Leaves Mercedes for Ferrari”
“Guardiola’s Advice Guides Wolff as Hamilton Leaves Mercedes for Ferrari”
Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, has revealed how Manchester City football manager Pep Guardiola influenced his approach when Lewis Hamilton decided to leave Mercedes for Ferrari, a move that stunned the F1 world ahead of the 2024 season. Announced in February, Hamilton’s transfer came after he activated a break clause in his new two-year deal signed the previous summer. This unexpected decision by the seven-time champion meant Mercedes needed to quickly prepare for his departure and find a replacement, which Wolff handled with a mindset inspired by Guardiola’s perspective on players leaving their teams.
Hamilton’s departure was particularly surprising given that he had previously expressed his commitment to remain with Mercedes until retirement. His move to Ferrari displaces Carlos Sainz Jr., whose father, Carlos Sainz Sr., had alerted Wolff to the possibility of Hamilton’s shift. In response to the news, Wolff reflected on a conversation he had years earlier with Guardiola, one of the most successful managers in football history, with 39 trophies to his name from stints at Barcelona, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City. On “The High Performance Podcast,” Wolff recounted Guardiola’s philosophy on handling players who wish to leave.
Wolff recalled asking Guardiola what he does if a key player expresses interest in leaving, and Guardiola replied, “If somebody thinks he can play better elsewhere or earn more, you’ve just got to let them go.” Inspired by this philosophy, Wolff approached Hamilton’s departure similarly, focusing on ensuring a smooth transition for both Mercedes and Hamilton. This also allowed Wolff to shift his attention to what Mercedes would do next and consider future prospects for the team.
Wolff admitted that he quickly identified 18-year-old Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a rising talent in the Mercedes junior program, as Hamilton’s successor. Within minutes of receiving news of Hamilton’s exit, Wolff felt that promoting Antonelli was the right move. However, he also realized the importance of verifying his instincts through consultation with his trusted team and key people at Mercedes. Wolff explained that while his instinct pointed him toward Antonelli, he understood the need for rational decision-making and further analysis.
This led him to seek advice from senior figures, including Markus Schäfer, a board member at Mercedes-Benz, and Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius. Wolff also discussed the decision with key individuals involved in Mercedes’ junior development, including Gwen Lagrue, and consulted technical director James Allison and communications director Bradley Lord. Through these discussions, Wolff solidified his choice to bring Antonelli into the F1 fold after the young driver completed an impressive season in Formula 2 and extensive testing. These consultations ultimately validated Wolff’s initial instinct to place Antonelli in the spotlight as Mercedes’ next rising star.
Looking back, Wolff noted that his conversation with Guardiola helped shape his approach to managing Hamilton’s departure. Instead of trying to convince Hamilton to stay, he viewed the situation with an open mind, allowing him to focus on how Mercedes would best move forward. He accepted that Hamilton’s choice was part of the natural evolution in F1 and embraced the opportunity it created for Antonelli, ensuring that all parties could benefit from the transition.
As the 2024 season began, Mercedes focused on this new chapter, with Antonelli’s debut on the horizon. Meanwhile, F1 enthusiasts had much to discuss following the dramatic São Paulo Grand Prix, where Red Bull’s Max Verstappen secured a spectacular win from 17th on the grid, bringing him within reach of a fourth drivers’ title.
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