Even after Lewis Hamilton’s high-profile migration to Ferrari for the 2025 F1 season, Toto Wolff, the long-standing Mercedes team principal, can’t seem to let go. Though their professional links have officially been severed, Wolff’s continued interest in Hamilton’s performance, particularly during the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, speaks volumes about their erstwhile association.
Wolff candidly confessed to keeping an eye on Hamilton while also monitoring his own drivers, George Russell and newcomer Andrea Kimi Antonelli, during the season’s first race. “I felt like we had three drivers on the field,” Wolff confessed, referring to his attention divided between Russell, Antonelli, and Hamilton. It’s a testament to the strength of their past bond that Wolff remains invested in Hamilton’s progress despite the driver now racing for a competitor.
Hamilton’s first race with Ferrari was fraught with difficulties. Miscommunication with his new race engineer Riccardo Adami, coupled with a risky tire strategy that didn’t pan out, led to a disappointing 10th place finish for the seven-time world champion. Despite the rocky start, Wolff’s concern for Hamilton’s progress remains undiminished. “We very much care about his performance, but on the track, he’s our competition, and we need to outrun him,” stated Wolff.
The pressure of this new beginning is telling on Hamilton. Ferrari’s persistent troubles with car performance and strategy, which they hoped Hamilton’s experience would rectify, have only added to his burdens.
The enduring impact of Wolff’s years of successful collaboration with Hamilton is hard to overlook. Under Wolff’s stewardship, Hamilton won six of his seven world championships with Mercedes, crafting one of the most victorious partnerships in F1 history. But now, Hamilton is a part of Ferrari, a fact that Wolff grapples with.
Mercedes showed promise at the Australian Grand Prix, with Russell finishing on the podium and Antonelli securing the fourth position following a successful appeal against a penalty. However, Wolff remains acutely aware of the threats from McLaren’s Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, whose extraordinary speed during the race keeps him on his toes.
Ultimately, Wolff’s continued attention to Hamilton seems to be more than just a habit. It’s a reflection of their shared past and mutual successes. While he is committed to moving forward and focusing on his own team, a residual sense of loyalty and concern for Hamilton lingers. Despite the competitive nature of the sport, this unexpected loyalty paints a fascinating picture of the dynamics at play in the world of F1 racing.
