Lewis Hamilton’s shock departure from Mercedes to Ferrari unveiled over breakfast meeting
NEW DELHI: Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed his surprise when Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, broke the news of his departure over breakfast.
Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes, where he has raced since 2013 and won six of his seven titles, was confirmed Thursday. The decision was delivered in a breakfast meeting on Wednesday at Wolff’s home in Oxford, England. Wolff had heard rumors but only received confirmation during the face-to-face meeting.
The surprise was that I’ve heard the rumors a couple of days earlier but wanted to wait for the breakfast we had planned, and it was Wednesday morning, and this is when he broke the news, Wolff stated on Friday. He clarified that once Hamilton expressed his decision, Wolff didn’t attempt to persuade him otherwise.
Wolff acknowledged the shock within the wider Mercedes team, mentioning that Hamilton’s race engineer, Peter Bonnington, humorously questioned, Is it April 1? upon hearing the news. Despite the unexpected departure, Wolff emphasized that he holds no grudge against Hamilton. He hinted at potential future discussions on whether the situation could have been handled differently.
Hamilton, who finalized a two-year extension with Mercedes in August, is activating a release clause allowing him to leave after a year. While Wolff acknowledged Hamilton’s desire for new challenges, he highlighted the unexpected timing. Wolff suggested Hamilton might be rolling the dice as the 39-year-old driver aims for an eighth F1 title.
Wolff emphasized that the short-term contract with Hamilton allowed flexibility for both parties. With Hamilton’s exit, Mercedes now has time to carefully choose a new driver alongside George Russell for the upcoming season. Wolff likened the situation to the sudden departure of Nico Rosberg in 2016, stating, I always like change because change provides you opportunity.
Despite Hamilton joining a rival team, Wolff expressed confidence in Hamilton’s integrity regarding sharing information related to Mercedes’ car development. He said, I don’t have any doubt in Lewis’ integrity in terms of sharing information.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari for the 2025 season surprised many, especially considering his long association with Mercedes. Wolff suggested Hamilton might be eyeing a chance at the championship in the anticipated rule changes in 2026, the second season of his multi-year deal with Ferrari.
Hamilton, who has not won a race since 2021, will embark on a new chapter with Ferrari, leaving behind a legacy at Mercedes. The departure marks a significant shift in the F1 landscape and raises questions about the dynamics of top-tier racing.
