(Paris) Toto Wolff, the boss of the Mercedes Formula 1 team, said on Friday he was more surprised by the moment than by Lewis Hamilton’s decision to leave the German team to join Ferrari in 2025.
“It happened sooner than I expected. When we signed the extension with Lewis (in August 2023, Editor’s note), we opted for a short-term contract and these events are therefore not a surprise, but the timing perhaps is,” explained the Austrian leader during an online press briefing.
“I’m not sure why he changed his mind, because over the Christmas period we were in sync. You have to ask Lewis. But it’s understandable, he was looking for a new challenge, a new environment and one last opportunity to finish his career,” he continued.
Toto Wolff also indicated that he had no resentment towards Frédéric Vasseur, the boss of the Scuderia to whom he is close.
“There is no ill feeling towards Fred for seeking to have the best drivers. It’s a very difficult competition, I do my best for my group, he does his best for Ferrari. It’s a bit like rugby: we punch each other in the nose, but off the track, we have a very good relationship,” underlined the Austrian, who predicts that Vasseur will have “a very good relationship with Lewis.
The Austrian also spoke about the search for a new driver to accompany Briton George Russell next year and said he wanted to take his time.
“We will first focus on the 2024 season. We have two excellent drivers and we need to develop a faster car than last year. What isn’t said enough is that George really has the potential to be the leader of the team. I wouldn’t have wanted another leader than him when Lewis left. We have to make the right choice for the second seat, but I don’t want to rush,” he insisted.
“There are a variety of drivers available on the market. We will see what is the best possible association with George. I have not yet spoken with the team to find out which direction we wanted to take, rather a rookie or an experienced driver,” concluded Toto Wolff.
On Thursday, the announcement of Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes, where he has been playing since 2013 with six world titles under his belt, to join Ferrari in 2025, had the effect of a bomb in the world of Formula 1.
The 39-year-old Briton, seven-time world champion like German legend Michael Schumacher, holds the record for the number of Grand Prix victories (103) but remains in two unsuccessful seasons with Mercedes.