The head of the Mercedes team, Toto Wolff, revealed that he informed Lewis Hamilton that he will need to “imagine our rear wing” when he switches to Ferrari in 2025. Hamilton surprised everyone by announcing his departure from Mercedes to join Ferrari at the beginning of the next Formula 1 season. Throughout his F1 career, Hamilton has been closely associated with the German team, winning six drivers’ titles and 82 races since joining the team in 2013. However, due to Mercedes’ struggles with the new ground effect cars in 2022, Hamilton decided to end his F1 career with the Italian brand. Leaks in the media forced the parties involved to make an immediate announcement about Hamilton’s unexpected decision, according to Wolff. “It was difficult for him to tell me because he left for the Christmas holidays and was always with Mercedes,” Wolff told Fox News Australia at the Australian Grand Prix. “We don’t usually talk much during this period because he’s away, but he came back and asked if we could have a coffee. Having coffee is our usual habit when the season starts, and he said, ‘I’m going to Ferrari.’ And I said, ‘seriously?’ It didn’t shock me because we knew we had a short-term contract, but the timing at the beginning of the season… I asked, ‘why at the beginning of the season?’ He said he wanted to announce it and not have it as an emotional burden. After five minutes of shock and disbelief, we had to be pragmatic and think about the announcement and our plans for the upcoming season. He mentioned that making the announcement was complicated because he believed it was already leaking, so I didn’t have many options.”
When asked about his feelings towards Hamilton given their close personal relationship at Mercedes, Wolff responded that he was not disappointed. He believes athletes have a limited time to perform at their peak and earn more money, which is usually around 10 to 15 years. Wolff understands Hamilton’s desire to take a different path and reinvent himself during this time. Despite the separation, Wolff emphasizes the strong bond they have built and wishes the best for each other. He hopes Mercedes can outperform Hamilton on the track while also exploring a new direction with another driver alongside George Russell.
Wolff expressed his disbelief at the idea of Hamilton wearing the red Ferrari overalls and jokingly mentioned that he had told the seven-time champion that he would end up behind the Mercedes cars. He does not believe the color red suits Hamilton, but finds the idea intriguing. Wolff also reminded Hamilton to imagine the rear wing of the Mercedes, as that would be his perspective if he were to join another team.
Mercedes had a challenging start to the Formula 1 season, scoring only 26 points, their worst performance since 2012. In contrast, Ferrari achieved a one-two finish in Australia and is now just four points behind Red Bull in the standings.
© 2024
The world of sports is always full of surprises and emotions, and 2024 will be no different. With so many exciting sporting events happening around the world, fans are eager to see their favorite athletes in action. From the Olympics to football championships, there is plenty to follow and get excited about.
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In conclusion, 2024 will be a year full of exciting sports and unforgettable moments. Fans cannot miss the opportunity to follow all the competitions and cheer for their favorite athletes. Get ready for a year filled with sporting emotions and amazing surprises.
