Yesterday at 08:20
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has admitted Lewis Hamilton's
decision to leave the team stopped "very difficult" conversations
from occurring between the two. Prior to the 2024 F1 campaign,
Hamilton announced it would be his last for Mercedes ahead of a
switch to Ferrari this year. Hamilton had endured a difficult two
seasons with Mercedes in 2022 and 2023 respectively as the
Brackley-based squad slipped back in the pecking order. With
Hamilton's age also a factor for Mercedes to consider, it was
speculated whether Mercedes would be willing to commit to Hamilton
long-term. However, all negotiation processes were eliminated when
Hamilton opted to make a career change and strike a fresh
partnership with Ferrari. When asked if Hamilton's decision to
leave removed the scenario of having difficult talks over their
future relationship, Wolff told select media including
RacingNews365 : "Yeah, very difficult [conversations]. "That would
have been a scenario that, for me, from a personal perspective and
as Mercedes, [it] would have been something that we would have
dreaded." Hamilton has not enjoyed a positive opening campaign with
Ferrari and is still awaiting his first trip to the podium in red.
The seven-time champion has noted on various occasions about
lacking confidence in the car, but is hopeful the regulation reset
in 2026 will put him in a strong spot to compete. Although Hamilton
is enduring a painful period behind the wheel, Wolff is not feeling
sorry for the 40-year-old. "No one should ever feel sorry for Lewis
Hamilton," Wolff said. "He's a monster of a driver."
