Lewis Hamilton shocked everyone by signing a contract with Ferrari for 2025 and beyond. This decision shocked many, as Mercedes has played a pivotal role in shaping Hamilton’s F1 legacy. However, it was a rational take by the seven-time world champion, searching for his eighth world title. After years of domination, the Silver Arrows have been slacking as the ground effect has harrowed the eighth-time constructors champions. Amid a severe slump, tension was rising between Hamilton and the team. The Briton was seen several times criticizing the team’s approach to handling the technical issues.
Therefore, the Briatore had no option but to end a 13-year-long partnership. Things have taken a peculiar turn as his time with Mercedes is winding up. The controversy began with a “sabotage” row when Mercedes received an email alleging that the team had deliberately underperformed Hamilton’s car. There were also chimes to keep the 39-year-old racer away from the team meetings, as he could take valuable insights to Ferrari. Amid the growing tension, Wolff supported his teammate, expressing a positive outlook on Hamilton’s Ferrari move. However, in Mercedes’s latest book, Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane, Wolff’s statement about Hamilton’s exit has spurred a new controversy.
Mercedes’ Book Launch Builds Up Tension Before Hamilton’s Ferrari Move
Earlier, Toto Wolff wished Hamilton the best of luck for his debut season with Ferrari, reassuring him their friendship would remain intact. However, his comments reported in the Mercedes Book suggest a different story. While everyone ws shocked by Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes, Wolff was relieved. Lewis Hamilton, who will turn 40 next year, has been underfiring on track for the last two years. While this slump could be attributed to Mercedes’ technical woes, Wolff had a different perspective.
The Austrian executive stated that he had anticipated Hamilton’s move and was completely unphased by it. Talking to the book’s author, Matt Whyman, Wolff expressed regret over missed opportunities to negotiate with drivers like Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris. The conversation took a tense turn when Wolff revealed that Hamilton’s move spared him from having an awkward conversation with an iconic F1 driver about the possibility of retirement. “It helps us because it avoids the moment where we need to tell the sport’s most iconic driver that we want to stop,” Wolff said.
Moreover, referring to Hamilton’s age, the 50-year-old executive explained this was the reason Mercedes continued with a one-year contract. Wolff stated that F1 is a dynamic sport where cognitive sharpness plays a crucial role. Reaction time drops after a certain age as “everyone has a shelf life.” Therefore, Wolff was rather focused on the next generation instead of worrying about an aging superstar.
“We’re Still In Love,” Lewis Hamilton’s Different Outlook On Mercedes Departure
As Lewis Hamilton prepares to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari, he reflects on his decision with a sense of clarity. Hamilton, who will turn 40 before his first race with Ferrari next year, is focused on making the most of his remaining years in F1. He views the end of his time with Mercedes as the conclusion of a relationship that, while still positive, has reached its natural close. Despite the departure, Hamilton assures that his faith in the team remains strong, but he is leaving to pursue a new chapter for personal growth.
For Hamilton, moving to Ferrari represents fulfilling a childhood dream—a goal many young motorsport fans share: driving the iconic red car. With his career nearing its end, Hamilton has begun to reflect on how he wants to be remembered. He questioned whether he would be satisfied staying with Mercedes for the remainder of his career or if stepping into a new challenge would offer a more fulfilling experience.
