Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has shed light on why the team is actually supportive of Lewis Hamilton’s decision to leave for Ferrari next year.
Hamilton sent shockwaves through the Formula One community earlier this year when he announced his departure from Mercedes, the team that propelled him to six of his seven world championship titles. He has signed a multi-year contract with Ferrari and will partner with Charles Leclerc starting next season. With only three races left before he switches to Ferrari red, Hamilton’s exit will end his 12-year stint with Mercedes, where he joined in 2013.
Surprisingly, Wolff is not only accepting of Hamilton’s move but sees positives in it. He shared his perspective in a conversation with Matt Whyman, author of *Inside Mercedes F1: Life in the Fast Lane*, with a straightforward message:
“Everyone has a shelf life.”
Wolff elaborated, “In a sport like ours, where cognitive sharpness is crucial, I knew it was on the cards that Lewis might leave. However, I didn’t expect him to switch teams before we could determine our competitiveness. It left us scrambling to adjust, and I missed opportunities to negotiate with other drivers like Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris, who had already secured their contracts.”
Despite the sudden change, Wolff views Hamilton’s departure as beneficial: “This situation saves us from having to make the tough decision of telling the sport’s most iconic driver that it’s time to move on.”
Hamilton, who is currently 39 years old, will be the second oldest driver on the grid next season, behind only Fernando Alonso, who is 43.
Mercedes has already lined up 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli, currently racing in Formula Two, as Hamilton’s replacement. Antonelli will debut alongside 26-year-old George Russell, who joined Mercedes in 2022.
Reflecting on the team’s future, Wolff said, “I have to focus on the next generation. It’s like football—every team eventually needs to bring in new talent.”
