Toto Wolff and Mercedes have one clear objective: stopping Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari from winning. Friendship aside, the fight on track is on.
After over two months of seeing Lewis Hamilton in Ferrari red, Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff has finally moved past the initial shock.
During the winter break and pre-season testing in Bahrain, Mercedes had to adjust to the sight of their former driver in the camp of a fierce rival. But there’s no time for nostalgia—the goal remains clear: beat Hamilton and Ferrari.
“At first, it was strange to picture him in red after so many years in a Mercedes.”
“But then, he showed up in January, dressed in red, sitting in the red car. In F1, things move fast—you get used to them just as quickly. Now, it feels normal.”
The First Glimpse of Hamilton at Ferrari
The first official image of Hamilton as a Ferrari driver surfaced in January, taken on his first day at Maranello. The seven-time world champion posed in a black suit beside a Ferrari F40, standing in front of Enzo Ferrari’s former home.
Wolff admits he liked the photo but couldn’t help teasing Hamilton about it.
“There was something iconic about him in that Godfather-style suit. I told him, ‘I’ve been trying to get you to wear a suit for 12 years, and then you do it on your first day at Ferrari.’ We had a good laugh.”
Despite the rivalry, the bond between Wolff and Hamilton remains strong. The two even caught up recently in Monaco at Wolff’s home.
On Track, Friendship Won’t Matter
Personal feelings aside, competition comes first.
“We’re still very good friends. Personally, I wish him the best, but on track, we want to beat him.”
Wolff expects the 2025 season to be one of the tightest battles yet, with four teams—Mercedes included—fighting at the top. However, he acknowledges that one team might have the edge.
“After testing in Bahrain, it looks like four teams are pretty equal over one lap, with maybe a small advantage for (Lando) Norris. But in race simulations, both McLarens are clearly ahead, followed by (Max) Verstappen, us, and Ferrari.”
Russell vs. Antonelli: A New Era for Mercedes
George Russell is set to fight for the championship, but Wolff is managing expectations for Hamilton’s successor, 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli.
“We’ve been with Kimi since he was 11. He has won everything at every level, and we’ve put 11,000 kilometers on him in an old Formula 1 car.”
But stepping into F1 at 18 is no small feat.
“When you’re thrown into the F1 circus that young, you have to be careful not to lose your footing. That’s why we’re keeping expectations in check from the start.”
With Hamilton in Ferrari red and a new generation emerging, Mercedes is entering a new chapter. But one thing remains the same: they’re here to win.
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Hamilton vs. Mercedes: The Battle Begins Hamilton vs. Mercedes: The Battle Begins
