Janice R. Andrews
Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff has shared details about how he was alerted to Lewis Hamilton’s surprise move to Ferrari, revealing that he received an early tip-off from Carlos Sainz Sr. Wolff discussed this surprising turn of events during an appearance on the High Performance podcast.
Hamilton told Wolff at the end of January, during a visit to his house, that he would be activating an exit clause in his Mercedes contract and switching to Ferrari for the 2025 season. Although this was the first official confirmation Wolff had of Hamilton’s departure, he admitted that he had already sensed the move was coming after receiving an early warning from Sainz Sr.
The Unexpected Heads-Up
Wolff explained that he first learned about the potential move when he got a call from Sainz Sr., father of Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz Jr., who will be replaced by Hamilton. “So, I heard the bells ringing two weeks before,” Wolff said. “The old man Sainz called me and said, ‘This is what’s happening.’”
Following this, Wolff received calls from the parents of several other drivers, which further hinted at something brewing. He then reached out to Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur, asking him if Ferrari was indeed targeting Hamilton. Vasseur’s failure to respond was out of character, which made Wolff even more suspicious. “Very unusual for Fred. He’s a good friend. So yeah, I saw it coming,” Wolff reflected.
Wolff’s Strategic Approach
When Hamilton visited Wolff’s house, the Mercedes boss decided to mention a significant Mercedes move: the recruitment of former Ferrari chief designer Simone Resta. Wolff hoped to steer the conversation toward the team’s future plans. But Hamilton had other news to share.
“We had a bit of small talk, like always, about the Christmas holidays and all of that,” Wolff recalled. He then mentioned the recruitment to Hamilton, and the driver responded by revealing his plans to leave Mercedes. This moment made it clear that Wolff’s suspicions were true. “So this is really happening?” Wolff thought at the time.
Staying Calm Amid the Shock
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari shocked the F1 world, but Wolff remained remarkably composed. He compared the news to other far more serious events in his life. “I had much worse in my life, like real drama and trauma. This is not even moving the needle,” Wolff said.
Rather than focusing on the shock, Wolff saw Hamilton’s decision as a challenge with both risks and opportunities. “It has risks and opportunities,” Wolff noted, particularly in terms of informing sponsors quickly about the leak and figuring out the team’s plans for next year. Wolff moved swiftly to manage the situation without letting it disrupt the team’s momentum.
Wolff’s Philosophy on Letting Drivers Go
Despite Hamilton’s departure, Wolff made it clear that he would not attempt to change Hamilton’s mind. Reflecting on advice from soccer coach Pep Guardiola, Wolff explained that sometimes it’s best to let drivers pursue what they feel is right for their careers. “If someone decides to go, then you need to let them go,” Wolff said. He shared Guardiola’s view that players or drivers should be free to leave if they feel it benefits them: “If somebody thinks he can play elsewhere better or earns more—you have just got to let them go.”
This philosophy allowed Wolff to accept Hamilton’s decision and focus on making the transition smooth for everyone involved, without pressure or resentment.
The Next Steps for Mercedes
With Hamilton’s future now confirmed at Ferrari, Wolff’s attention is already shifting to how Mercedes will handle the vacancy. The team will need to find a driver who can step into Hamilton’s shoes and uphold Mercedes’ competitive legacy. While the move has undoubtedly created a stir, Mercedes has ample time to plan for a future without their star driver.
Hamilton’s departure marks a significant moment in the history of Formula 1, and Wolff’s composed response demonstrates his readiness to handle the change. As Mercedes looks to the future, the decision has already changed the dynamics of both Ferrari and Mercedes, and the 2025 season is bound to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.
