Toto Wolff Confident Lewis Hamilton Will Shine at… Read more
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has expressed strong confidence in Lewis Hamilton’s potential to succeed at Ferrari, despite the seven-time world champion’s initial difficulties adapting to his new team. Wolff, who shared a 12-year partnership with Hamilton at Mercedes, insists that the British driver’s trademark “magic” is still very much intact and that it will soon be evident once Hamilton becomes fully comfortable in his new surroundings.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari for the 2025 season shocked the Formula 1 world when it was announced. After over a decade of success with Mercedes—including multiple championships—he signed a multi-year deal with the iconic Italian team. So far, Hamilton has experienced a mix of highs and lows while adjusting to the SF-25. One of his standout moments was a dominant Sprint race victory in Shanghai, where he took pole and converted it into a convincing win.
Speaking during the Miami Grand Prix weekend, Wolff addressed Hamilton’s adaptation period and dismissed any concerns that his former driver’s peak years are behind him. “I think we saw that magic in the Sprint race in China,” Wolff remarked. “He was completely dominant. It’s not like the magic comes and goes from one race to the next. I firmly believe it’s still there.”
Wolff emphasized that once Hamilton is fully aligned with his car and environment, his performance will return to a consistently high level. “If all the elements—car, mindset, confidence—come together, he’ll be stellar. I have no doubt about that. But I’m also not surprised there are some bumps along the road.”
Wolff pointed out that any transition to a new team brings challenges, especially when the team’s culture and working methods are unfamiliar. He also highlighted that Hamilton’s teammate at Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, has been with the team for a long time and is an exceptionally talented driver, which only adds to the difficulty of the adjustment.
Meanwhile, Mercedes has moved forward with George Russell now leading the team into his fourth season, partnered by rookie Kimi Antonelli. The new driver duo has helped Mercedes start the season strongly, with the team sitting second in the Constructors’ Championship standings.
When asked whether the atmosphere at Mercedes had changed with Hamilton’s departure, Wolff acknowledged the shift but didn’t describe it as negative. “Lewis was like family. He knew exactly what he wanted, and our team knew how to work with him. We had highs and lows, but the relationship made things easier. Now, the dynamic is different, but that’s natural with new drivers.”
Wolff concluded with confidence that Hamilton would eventually thrive at Ferrari, reaffirming his belief in the champion’s enduring talent.
