Toto Wolff Was Left in the Dark Over Hamilton’s Ferrari Move

Toto Wolff Was Left in the Dark Over Hamilton’s Ferrari Move

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has revealed he learned about Lewis Hamilton’s planned move to Ferrari through Carlos Sainz Sr.—before Hamilton informed him directly. Hamilton, who aims to secure a historic eighth world championship title, is set to join Ferrari for the 2025 season. This high-profile move pairs one of Formula 1’s most successful drivers with the sport’s most iconic team.

The decision has led to Carlos Sainz’s departure from Ferrari, with the Spanish driver now heading to Williams on a long-term contract after a successful season that included two race victories in 2024. Wolff shared that he received an early heads-up from Sainz’s father, who called to inform him about Hamilton’s decision before the seven-time champion himself did.

“So I heard the bells ringing two weeks before,” Wolff said on the High Performance Podcast. “Yeah, the old man Sainz called me and said, this is what’s happening.”

Hamilton’s transfer will mark the end of an extraordinary 12-year partnership between him and Mercedes, a period that brought six drivers’ championships for Hamilton and eight constructors’ titles for Mercedes. While Wolff has previously shared his surprise at the timing of Hamilton’s decision, he admits he had some time to process it before officially hearing from Hamilton, adding that he noticed unusual calls from other drivers’ fathers, suggesting shifts were happening behind the scenes.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is expected to be one of the most memorable transfers in F1 history, closing a legendary chapter with Mercedes and opening a new one with Ferrari, as he pursues the elusive eighth title.