Wolff Reveals He Was Warned About Hamilton’s Ferrari Move

Wolff Reveals He Was Warned About Hamilton’s Ferrari Move Before……red more

Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes, has disclosed that he was tipped off about Lewis Hamilton’s potential move to Ferrari before Hamilton himself confirmed the decision. In an unexpected turn of events, Wolff revealed that he first learned of Hamilton’s planned switch from the father of Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz, weeks before Hamilton personally informed him.

This revelation sheds light on the behind-the-scenes dynamics leading up to Hamilton’s surprising decision to leave Mercedes after more than a decade of success with the team. Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is set to happen ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season, where he will seek to clinch his eighth world championship title, an achievement that would solidify his place as the most successful driver in F1 history. If the move goes ahead, it will mark the end of one of the most successful driver-team partnerships in the history of the sport.

Wolff, who has been an instrumental figure in Mercedes’ rise to dominance in Formula 1, explained that the news of Hamilton’s potential switch started circulating earlier than expected. In a conversation on the High Performance Podcast, Wolff shared that two weeks before he was officially told by Hamilton, Carlos Sainz Sr., the father of Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jr., reached out to him with a surprising tip-off. According to Wolff, Sainz Sr. called him and confirmed that Hamilton was planning to join Ferrari.

Initially, Wolff was taken aback by this information, but the situation grew even more curious as more drivers’ fathers reached out to him with similar tips. It seemed that word was getting around, and Wolff began to piece together that something major was in the works. Despite the unusual nature of the calls, Wolff remained cautious, trying to make sense of the rumors and understand the timing of the situation.

Soon after receiving these hints, Wolff took matters into his own hands. He sent a text message to Fred Vasseur, Ferrari’s team principal, seeking confirmation of the rumors. His message was simple: “You’re taking our driver?” However, Wolff was met with an unusually silent response from Vasseur, something that struck him as odd given their longstanding friendship and the open lines of communication they typically shared. Wolff, who is known for his direct approach and close-knit relationships within the F1 paddock, found this lack of response particularly telling. The radio silence only added weight to his suspicions that something significant was unfolding.

The lack of communication from Vasseur and the additional calls from other figures in the sport led Wolff to believe that Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes was becoming a real possibility. Despite having a hunch, Wolff admitted he was still surprised by the final confirmation of Hamilton’s decision when it eventually came. Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari will bring an end to a 12-year partnership between the two, a collaboration that has yielded remarkable success for both the driver and the team.

Over the years, Hamilton and Mercedes have dominated the sport together, winning a total of six drivers’ championships for Hamilton and eight constructors’ titles for the team. Their partnership has been one of the most fruitful in F1 history, and the news of Hamilton’s departure marks the end of an era for Mercedes. The relationship between Wolff and Hamilton has always been seen as a strong one, with Wolff playing a key role in shaping Hamilton’s career and the success of the team during their time together.

Looking ahead to Hamilton’s future with Ferrari, Wolff expressed that while he was surprised by the timing, he was slowly starting to come to terms with the fact that Mercedes would need to prepare for life without the seven-time world champion. The prospect of losing a driver of Hamilton’s caliber is undoubtedly a challenge for any team, especially one as dominant as Mercedes, but Wolff acknowledged that changes like these are a part of the sport.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari is expected to shake up the balance of power in Formula 1, with the combination of one of the most successful drivers in history and one of the most iconic teams on the grid. As the 2025 season draws nearer, all eyes will be on the new partnership between Hamilton and Ferrari, with fans eagerly awaiting what promises to be a thrilling new chapter in the sport’s history.

In conclusion, Wolff’s revelation about being tipped off by Sainz Sr. and the eerie silence from Vasseur gives a fascinating glimpse into the inside workings of F1 and how major moves like Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari often start long before they are publicly announced. As the sport braces for a new era, Wolff’s candid comments provide valuable insight into the business of Formula 1 and the sometimes unpredictable nature of driver transfers.