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Wolff reveals Hamilton FRUSTRATION ahead of Mercedes exit
Toto Wolff Addresses Frustration as Hamilton Prepares to Leave Mercedes
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has expressed frustration over the team’s inability to provide Lewis Hamilton with a competitive car in recent seasons, as the seven-time world champion prepares to join Ferrari in 2025.
After 12 years with Mercedes and a storied career that includes all seven championships achieved with Mercedes power, Hamilton’s upcoming move marks the end of an era.
Hamilton, now 39, is chasing a record-breaking eighth title, but time is no longer on his side.
Ferrari will inherit the responsibility of delivering a car capable of fulfilling that ambition, while Mercedes reflects on recent shortcomings.
Wolff’s recent remarks on the High-Performance podcast sparked speculation that he believed Hamilton might be past his prime.
On the podcast, Wolff discussed the natural decline that comes with age in sports, stating that everyone has a “shelf life” whether they are drivers, athletes, or managers.
These comments led to widespread interpretations that Wolff was signaling Hamilton’s decline.
However, Wolff has since clarified his remarks, emphasizing that Hamilton remains highly capable when provided with a competitive car.
Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, Wolff explained: “That was taken a little out of context. What I was referring to was that all of us age—whether as drivers, managers, or entrepreneurs.
I was reflecting on myself, asking, ‘Am I going from great to good?’ And in Formula 1, good is not enough anymore.”
Wolff stressed that Hamilton’s performance level remains sharp, with his wealth of experience and racecraft making him one of the grid’s top drivers.
“Lewis is still very much there when the car is right,” Wolff said, adding that the team’s inability to provide a car capable of extracting Hamilton’s full potential has been a shared frustration.
Hamilton’s maturity and evolution as a driver have also been evident, Wolff noted, saying, “He’s different from when he was 20, but his experience and understanding of the sport are tremendous.”
Hamilton’s final races with Mercedes include the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, followed by Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
These will mark the end of his partnership with the team that delivered six of his seven championships. For both Hamilton and Mercedes, the focus now turns to closing this chapter on a positive note.
As Hamilton prepares to join Ferrari, the onus shifts to the Italian outfit to deliver a car capable of helping him achieve his historic eighth championship, while Mercedes reflects on a partnership that redefined modern Formula 1 dominance.
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