Toto Wolff believes the departure of Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes was perfectly timed, as the team prepares to "reinvent" itself in 2025.
After 12 seasons, 84 wins, and six drivers’ titles, Hamilton moved to Ferrari, ending one of the most successful partnerships in Formula 1 history.
In his final year with Mercedes, Hamilton broke his win drought from 2021 by clinching victories at the British and Belgian Grands Prix. However, his season ended with a fourth place in Abu Dhabi after a challenging weekend in Brazil.
Wolff commented on Hamilton’s move, saying, “It was right for both of us. When you see Lewis in his first appearances at Ferrari, this picture in front of Enzo Ferrari’s house, it’s iconic. Lewis with his sense of style, and I’ve told him.”
He added that Mercedes is now on a different path, aiming to rejuvenate with young talent alongside George Russell, who Wolff feels doesn’t get the recognition he deserves.
“We have a senior, accomplished driver that has won races, and this new kid coming up,” Wolff said, referring to Kimi Antonelli as Hamilton’s replacement.
Following the announcement of a significant new sponsorship with Adidas, Wolff expressed confidence in Mercedes’ future appeal to big-name sponsors. “It doesn’t get much better (than Adidas) in terms of iconic brands in the field of sport,” he stated.
He emphasized the excitement within the team about moving to the next generation, noting, “When I discussed Lewis going and Kimi coming with the CEO, he said: ‘This is so exciting. Let’s go on the next generation!’ This is how we feel in the team. We have a strong vibe with the partners that are with us and want to come to the team, so we don’t feel any hangover.”
The 2025 Formula 1 season kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix on March 16, where fans will see how these changes play out over the 58 laps of the 5.278 kilometers Albert Park semi-street circuit.
