Toto Wolff shares update on Lewis Hamilton relationship after Ferrari move on

Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton held a strong bond at Mercedes for some time, until the latter opted to switch to Ferrari.

Hamilton brought an end to his association with Mercedes at the end of the 2024 campaign.

The seven-time champion joined Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc for a new career chapter, but has largely struggled across the opening rounds of the season.

Wolff was at the helm of the Mercedes throughout Hamilton’s entire stint at the Brackley-based squad, which included an incredible 84 race wins and six F1 titles.

The Austrian has detailed his friendship with the 40-year-old remains unchanged.

“We’re still great friends with Lewis,” Wolff told media including RacingNews365.

“I spent a lot of time with him, travelling, and I’m still seeing him. It came to a point last year where, you know, it’s like spending 12 years in a row on holiday with your best friend.

“At a certain stage you say, well, maybe do something else this time around. And for Lewis, he needed a refresher, a reinvention.

“Ferrari is iconic, no doubt about that. Certainly he also got terms that were interesting for him.”

Hamilton was replaced at the team by rookie Kimi Antonelli to commence a new era for Mercedes.

Wolff highlighted it was only a matter of time before the Italian protégé was handed a promotion to the squad.

“With us, Kimi was in the starting blocks – eventually it was this year or it would have been next year to bring him in,” Wolff said.

“Bringing him in this year means we have a learning year before new regulations kick in.

“He’s going to know all the tracks and that felt like the right decision.”

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