Lewis Hamilton has been exercising his profession with the Mercedes team since 2013. The 2024 season will mark Hamilton’s last year with Mercedes. In early February, news broke of Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, surprising the entire automotive community. Wolff, initially surprised, has always seen Hamilton as a lifelong member of the Mercedes family, but the Briton’s decision was not entirely unexpected for the Austrian. Since 2013, both Wolff and Hamilton have played a significant role in Mercedes’ success.
During a recent press interview, Wolff confessed that it is still difficult to comprehend that Hamilton will be wearing Ferrari’s red in 2025. Hamilton spent most of his career with Mercedes, experiencing both triumphs and setbacks. He won six world championships with the team and had an extraordinary journey. Despite feeling a bit disheartened to leave Mercedes, Hamilton is eager to embark on a new chapter with Ferrari. He has always considered driving for Ferrari as a childhood dream.
While Toto Wolff openly expressed his belief that red does not suit Ferrari, reports suggest that the Mercedes team principal will be absent from the Japanese Grand Prix, according to PA media. It is understood that Wolff made this decision before the start of the current season.
After the Australian Grand Prix, there were several questions about Wolff’s position within the Mercedes Formula 1 team. When asked about it, he acknowledged that it is “reasonable” for people to raise such concerns.
Toto Wolff fully understands the responsibility he holds as head of Mercedes. He has successfully led the team since 2013, but under current regulations, he has encountered some obstacles. It will be intriguing to see how Mercedes will handle things during the Japanese Grand Prix, in Wolff’s absence.