Formulation 1 star Lewis Hamilton just lately made the stunning choice to bolt from Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS in favor of Scuderia Ferrari on the finish of the 2024 season.
On Friday, Mercedes crew principal Toto Wolff made it clear that there have been no arduous emotions over Lewis’ choice. Wolff additionally acknowledged that he was conscious of the rumors surrounding Lewis’ potential departure, however didn’t know for sure till the F1 star revealed his intentions in a gathering over breakfast earlier this week.
Lewis is now set to hitch Ferrari for the 2025 season after racing for Mercedes for greater than a decade. He gained six of his seven championships with the crew.
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Lewis Hamilton of Nice Britain and Mercedes GP and Mercedes GP Government Director Toto Wolff on stage for the F1 Stay occasion throughout previews forward of the F1 Grand Prix of Australia at Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on March 13, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Clive Mason/Getty Photos)
“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 mentioned.
“But, you know, you can be very straightforward with me because I’m very straightforward too. So once he said, ‘This is what I’m trying to do,’ that was the fact. I didn’t try to convince him otherwise.”
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Wolff added that he nonetheless considers Hamilton a buddy. “In the future, we will discuss whether this could have been done in a different way or not, but I hold no grudge.”
FILE – Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes crew principal g proper, rejoice after Hamilton gained the race and his seventh world championship on the Formulation One Turkish Grand Prix on the Istanbul Park circuit racetrack in Istanbul, Sunday, Nov. 15, 2020. (AP Photograph/Kenan Asyali, Pool, File)
Hamilton agreed to a multi-year extension with Mercedes final August, however he’s activating a launch clause that permits him to exit after a yr.
Wolff mentioned the very fact Hamilton was looking for a brand new problem wasn’t a shock however the timing was. He instructed Hamilton is likely to be “rolling the dice” because the 39-year-old driver seeks one other shot at what could be his eighth F1 title.
“We knew that by signing a short-term contract, it could be of benefit for both sides. We couldn’t commit for a longer period and he is taking the option to exit. We totally respect that you can change your mind, it’s different circumstances,” he mentioned.
Lewis Hamilton of Mercedes forward of Formulation 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix at Yas Marina Circuit on November 26, 2023 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto by way of Getty Photos)
Hamilton’s has not gained a race 2021, when he simply missed out on the title to Max Verstappen in dramatic style on the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
Wolff mentioned he has no issues about involving Hamilton with Mercedes’ automobile growth, even with Hamilton attributable to be a part of a rival. “I don’t have any doubt in Lewis’ integrity in terms of sharing information,” Wolff mentioned.
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Mercedes has been a key supporter of Hamilton’s efforts to enhance range in F1. In 2021, he and the crew joined collectively to arrange the Ignite initiative to offer extra alternatives for individuals from a various vary of backgrounds who wish to enter careers in areas like motorsport, science and engineering.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
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