The shockwaves of Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari for the 2025 F1 season after 12 years with Mercedes, combined with Adrian Newey’s departure from Red Bull Racing to Aston Martin, continue to reverberate through Formula 1. While questions have arisen about Hamilton’s ability to adapt to Ferrari’s passionate and emotional environment, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff remains confident that the seven-time world champion will integrate well with the iconic Italian team.
Wolff, addressing the speculation about Hamilton’s potential struggles at Ferrari, dismissed the concerns, stating that while Ferrari’s high-pressure atmosphere is widely known, he believes the team and Hamilton will find a way to work effectively together. “Ferrari is a great team, great people, lots of emotion and passion,” Wolff said, quoted by Motorsport.com. “I believe they are going to find a way of working with each other.”
For his part, Hamilton has shrugged off the chatter, likening it to the skepticism he faced when he left McLaren for Mercedes in 2013—a move that ultimately propelled him to unprecedented success. “There’s not been a moment where I’ve questioned it,” Hamilton stated, dismissing the doubts. “Even today, there’s people continuing to talk sh!t, but only you can know what was right for you.”
As Hamilton prepares for this new chapter, Mercedes has opted for fresh talent in the form of 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli, who will step into Hamilton’s shoes alongside George Russell. Antonelli, who has rapidly risen through the ranks after just one season in Formula 2, represents a new era for Mercedes. Wolff acknowledged that while the team will miss Hamilton’s vast experience, the excitement surrounding Antonelli’s arrival brings renewed energy to the team.
“Kimi joining George clearly brings momentum with it, plus youth and freshness,” Wolff said. “There’s a real smile in the organization having an 18-year-old in a car, even though there will be moments where Lewis’s experience would have benefited the team.”
Looking back on Hamilton’s tenure with Mercedes, Wolff expressed gratitude for their incredible run together but emphasized that the team is excited about the future. “We had such a great run with Lewis over the last 12 years, and he’s always going to be part of the family. But this is the right step for us now,” Wolff concluded.
