Lewis Hamilton shocked the entire F1 world in February by signing a contract with Ferrari. The 39-year-old racer is set to join the Maranello squad, soon to live his childhood dream. However, the Briton will leave a massive void for the Mercedes squad. After over a decade of successful collaboration, Hamilton won 6 Driver’s titles, 84 races, and 154 podiums with the Silver Arrows.
However, the Geman Marque recently struggled to design a competitive F1 car, as the aero issues became a mystery. As a result, the Briton went winless for nearly three seasons until he finally broke the curse at Silverstone this year. Meanwhile, the British racers would have to leave a familiar setup and team for a completely different environment in Italy. Many F1 experts considered it a terrible move, especially with Hamilton turning forty next year. However, Mercedes chief and Hamilton’s great friend, Toto Wolff, holds a different view.
Wolf Confident Hamilton Will Quickly Adapt To Ferrari
The biggest question before the 2025 season- Will Hamilton succeed with Ferrari? With only six rounds left in 2024, the talks about Hamilton’s Ferrari move have intensified. F1 aficionados are analyzing the Briton’s chances of doing well with the Prancing Horse. While some believe Hamilton would be under tremendous, others predict the unfurling of ‘Hammer-time.’ Similarly, the Mercedes boss, who joined the squad with Hamilton, has given his verdict. The Austrian boss has been with the Briton for over a decade, knowing every detail about the seven-time world champion.
Therefore, during an interaction with AutoSport, Wolff said that when people say it will be very difficult, the reality is completely opposite. He further praised Ferrari for being a great team, a supportive team, and a passionate fan base. Hence, joining such an iconic team might be intimidating, but Wolff is confident Hamilton and Ferrari will find a way to work it out.
On a similar note, Hamilton is also confident in his choice and doesn’t want to explain anything to the critics. In 2013, he joined Mercedes, a mid-tier team, after a successful stint with McLaren. Therefore, he can tackle such situations with his experience and talent. Additionally, Hamilton emphasized that only he could decide what was best for his career, making this move an exciting journey for the legendary racer.
From Freinds To Foe: Wolff Confirms Hamilton Will Be A Rival
With this new chapter of his F1 career, Lewis will bid farewell to the Mercedes squad. Over the year, he has made unbreakable friendships within the squad, especially his bond with Wolff. However, the two friends will compete against each other in the next season. As a result, the Austrian executive will now view Hamilton as a competitor, and the team will do anything in its power to defeat him.