Toto Wolff Claims ‘Not A Surprise’ on Lewis Hamilton’s Move to Ferrari: ‘I HOLD NO GRUDGE’

Lewis Hamilton has made a surprise announcement that he will leave Mercedes for the 2025 season and join Ferrari, with whom he extended his contract just five months ago. Speaking to the media at a virtual press conference, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said the move was not a surprise for Mercedes and stressed his support for the seven-time world champion. There was no “disgust” in this decision.

Wolff explained that Hamilton’s choice of a short-term contract, which includes an opt-out clause after the 2024 season, signaled that the 12-year partnership was coming to an end. He acknowledged that the timing of the decision could be surprising, adding that the team was aware of the potential changes when the deal was signed.

The Mercedes boss insists that even if their careers end together, the friendship with Hamilton will continue. Hamilton shared his need for new challenges and different situations and respected the difficulty of the decisions facing the Wolff driver, especially after a decade of working closely together.

Ferrari has offered Hamilton a “multi-year” contract that extends until at least 2026, while Mercedes opted for flexibility in the driver market. Wolff has shown interest in other drivers such as Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc, who recently extended their contracts.

Wolff insists Mercedes are focused on finding a new team-mate for George Russell in 2025 and remain realistic in the changing landscape of Formula 1. He said he was not personally hurt by Hamilton’s decision to leave the team and needed to remain calm and make strategic decisions for the 2024 season.

Regarding Mercedes’ performance in 2024, Wolff admitted that beating Red Bull will be a challenge, but the team will be motivated to seek revenge for the 2021 season, stressing the need for agility and adapting to changing conditions.

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari marks the end of an era with Mercedes, but Wolff stressed the importance of moving on with a focus on F1 excellence. While Hamilton’s decision is a long way off, Mercedes believes it is part of the division’s dynamism and the ability to embrace change is essential for continued success.