Lewis Hamilton: Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says timing of F1 star’s Ferrari decision ‘bit us’ – but insists he holds ‘no grudge’ | UK News

Mercedes staff principal Toto Wolff has stated the timing of Lewis Hamilton’s choice to depart for Ferrari “bit us a bit” – however insists there’s “no grudge” between them.

Wolff stated he had heard rumours that Hamilton may stop the staff however did not know for certain till the F1 nice confirmed it in a gathering over breakfast on Wednesday at Wolff’s house in Oxford.

The British driver is leaving Mercedes on the finish of the upcoming season to hitch Ferrari for 2025 in a transfer introduced on Thursday.

The Austrian advised reporters that Hamilton‘s choice had come too late for them to have a look at some apparent contenders to exchange him, with McLaren’s Lando Norris and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc signing new contracts final month.

“The timing bit us a bit,” he stated.

Hamilton, from Stevenage, has raced for Mercedes since 2013 and gained six of his seven world titles with the staff.

“The shock was that I’ve heard the rumours a few days earlier however needed to attend for the breakfast we had deliberate, and it was Wednesday morning, and that is when he broke the information,” Wolff stated.

“However, you recognize, you may be very easy with me as a result of I am very easy too. So as soon as he stated, ‘That is what I am attempting to do,’ that was the very fact. I did not attempt to persuade him in any other case.”

Wolff added that he nonetheless considers Hamilton a buddy. “Sooner or later, we are going to focus on whether or not this might have been performed another way or not, however I maintain no grudge.”

In a glimpse into the shock inside the wider Mercedes staff, Wolff stated Hamilton’s long-time race engineer Peter Bonnington – often called “Bono” of their conversations over the radio throughout races – replied “Is it April 1?” when advised Hamilton would go away.

Hamilton solely finalised a two-year extension with Mercedes on the finish of August however is activating a launch clause that permits him to depart after a yr.

Wolff stated the very fact Hamilton was searching for a brand new problem wasn’t a shock however the timing was.

He advised Hamilton may be “rolling the cube” because the 39-year-old driver seeks one other shot at what can be his eighth F1 title.

“We knew that by signing a short-term contract, it may very well be of profit for either side. We could not commit for an extended interval and he’s taking the choice to exit. We completely respect that you could change your thoughts, it is completely different circumstances,” he stated.

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Mercedes can now take its time deciding on a brand new driver to companion George Russell for subsequent yr, Wolff added.

He likened Mercedes’ want for a brand new driver to coping with the sudden departure in 2016 of Hamilton’s then-teammate Nico Rosberg, who retired from F1 days after successful the title.

“I at all times like change as a result of change supplies you alternative, and in the identical approach we have embraced the Nico scenario,” he stated. “And that was equally like from one second to the opposite, sudden.”

Hamilton has not gained a race since 2021, when he narrowly – and controversially – missed out on the title to Max Verstappen on the season finale in Abu Dhabi.

Mercedes struggled to adapt to new “floor impact” aerodynamics reintroduced for 2022 and Russell’s victory in Sao Paulo that yr is the staff’s solely win since then.

In 2026 – which might be Hamilton’s second season of a “multi-year” cope with Ferrari – a brand new algorithm is predicted to shake up the grid.

Wolff stated he has no considerations about involving Hamilton with Mercedes’ automobile growth, even with Hamilton attributable to be a part of a rival. “I haven’t got any doubt in Lewis’ integrity by way of sharing info,” Wolff stated.