Lewis Hamilton is set to join Ferrari in 2025, while Mercedes have yet to announce who will replace him.
Toto Wolff, the Team Principal of Mercedes, has provided an update on his relationship with Frederic Vasseur of Ferrari following the surprising news of Hamilton’s move to the Scuderia in Formula 1, which is scheduled to take place at the end of 2024.
Wolff was taken by surprise when he learned of Hamilton’s intentions during a casual meeting over coffee at his residence in Oxfordshire. This marked the end of their partnership that began in 2013 and lasted nearly 11 years.
On the other hand, Vasseur has a long-standing association with Hamilton that predates his time at Mercedes. He worked with the British racing star during his junior formula career at the ART team, nurturing their connection through Formula 3 and GP2, now known as F2.
Amid speculation about whether this change in alliances would strain the relationship between Wolff and Vasseur, Wolff was quick to address the issue. He expressed his respect for Vasseur, both as a racing manager and as a long-time friend. Wolff acknowledged that Vasseur’s priority is to serve the best interests of Ferrari and make the most of every opportunity to achieve that. He stated that there are no hard feelings towards Vasseur’s pursuit of top employees and drivers.
Wolff emphasized that their personal rapport would not be negatively affected by this transition. He recognized the fierce competition and demanding environment of Formula 1, describing it as a tough and cut-throat competition. Wolff added that while he strives to do what is best for his team, Vasseur will do the same for Ferrari.
Wolff also shed light on his respectful relationship with Vasseur, stating that they have been in frequent contact and coordinate their communications regularly. He compared their relationship to that of rugby players who may clash on the field but maintain respect off it.
Regarding Hamilton’s surprise decision to leave Mercedes, Wolff noted that the timing was unexpected for their team as well. He speculated that Hamilton’s intention was to give Mercedes enough time to consider their options for the upcoming season.
Wolff expressed confidence in Vasseur’s ability to establish a strong working relationship with Hamilton in his new role as his boss. He highlighted their long history of knowing each other and Hamilton’s previous experiences with ART, which have given him a deep understanding of the minds of racing drivers. Wolff acknowledged that Vasseur’s approach may differ from his own but highlighted their shared success, as evidenced by Vasseur’s impressive track record.
