The Mercedes-Lewis Hamilton love affair is most definitely over. After twelve seasons together claiming eight consecutive constructor and six driver titles Hamilton decided the writing was on the wall for his team and his heading overseas to join Ferrari next year.

Yet the manner in which Lewis brought all this about appears to have strained the once indivisible relationship between star driver and team owner/boss.

 

 

 

Hamilton was “Mercedes forever”

Days after the bombshell news had broken, Wolff admitted he was incredibly stunned by Lewis’ decision. “And not that it shocked me, because we knew that we have a short-term contract, but the timing at the beginning of the season.”

Toto since made a number of references to being bemused by the timing of Hamilton’s announcement as the team were preparing for what is proving another tough year after five rounds of Grand Prix racing. Lewis would argue that a leak of his new contract with Ferrari was inevitable, hence his timing.

Yet as Toto says, something drastically changed in a matter of days for Hamilton. “I think it was difficult for him to really tell me because he left for the Christmas holiday and was Mercedes forever,” Wolff recounted.

However the “Mercedes forever” sentiment was clearly one promoted by the Hamilton team when negotiating his new contract last season. An article published by Bloomberg cited a career ending deal in the offing for Lewis stretching to multiple years of driving into the future as comparisons were made to global athletes with great longevity such as Tom Brady.

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Hamilton narrative of ‘wild setup changes’

A ten year Mercedes ambassador role worth c. $25m a year was also quoted as being on the table, yet when the dust settled six months later, Lewis had secured just a one year plus an optional second year’s drive with no mention of a brand ambassadorship anywhere.

Reports came through to Hamilton that Mercedes engineers were not confident about the 2024 car which began its development under previous technical director, Mike Elliot. So the dots are simple to join, ‘the past glories are gone and its time to move on.’

One other incremental problem for Wolff is the roller coaster ride that is Hamilton’s experience with the 2024 W15 car. Prior to the Australian Grand Prix, Lewis was effervescent: “I think we have an amazing car, there’s a lot of potential in it and I think we just haven’t maximised it at the moment,” he told assembled media.

Yet there is a Hamilton narrative emerging at each of the F1 events this season, that it is he who is taking it on the chin for the team – working with ‘wild’ experimental set ups while George is being more conventional.

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Wolff blames Hamilton for Shanghai failings

When asked about his car setup in China Lewis replied: “Massive changes since qualifying,” Hamilton admitted of his struggles. “It wasn’t too bad in some places but I struggled, I couldn’t get it to stop in 14. So it is what it is.”

“This morning, George and I had very similar cars but then this afternoon we’re [I’m] trying to experiment still with the car,” Hamilton revealed.

Now it seems Toto has had enough of Hamilton’s carping. In a curt interview with Sky F1 after a disappointing P6 for Russell and P9 for Hamilton, Wolff actually implies Lewis has to share the blame for the performance of his W15 in Shanghai this weekend.

“Lewis set a development direction that was so wrong that the car didn’t make it around the corners,” Wolff told Sky Deutschland. This is something Ferrari might reflect upon given they have welcomed the experience Lewis will bring to the team when he joins next season.

“We will bring some new things to Miami, which we really need, but now we are behind the Ferraris and also Lando Norris, and that is simply not good enough,” Wolff adds.

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Horner bites back at Toto ‘pot stirring’

This ordering of Mercedes F1 power unit supplied teams in Shanghai was not lost on chief rival Christian Horner. “Mercedes is the third [placed] team with those engines,” quipped the Red Bull boss, referring the fact both Alonso of Aston Martin and Norris of McLaren had finished ahead of the best placed Mercedes, all using the same ‘engines.’

Horner was irked by the constant public wooing of Max Verstappen by the Mercedes team boss. Wolff had started a conversation in China about how Max’s future may not be defined by who has the best car at present – another attempt to destabilise the flying Red Bull F1 outfit.

“There are so many factors that play a role for a driver joining,” replied Wolff to a question asking why Max Verstappen would consider joining Mercedes and leaving Red Bull.

Christian Horner responded angrily telling Toto to concentrate on the job ahead of him, rather than playing politics. “His time would be better spent perhaps focusing on the team rather than the driver market,” quipped Horner who then confidently asserted: “I can assure you that there is no ambiguity about where Max Verstappen will be next year.”

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“Its worse to lose an engineer than a driver”

On the Mercedes vacancy following Lewis departure, Wolff told reporters: “There are some interesting discussions and interesting options, both short and long term. I’m looking forward to starting a new era next year with a new driver.”

When asked whether Hamilton with all his experience will play a part in designing Mercedes 2025 W16 car, Toto surprisingly played down that idea.

“The fact is that the role of the driver in the development of a car is overestimated,” he said. “It’s worse to lose an engineer than a driver.”

On hearing this Hamilton sarcastically hit back: “I’m not a car designer. I wish I was!”

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Mercedes to recruit Ocon

Toto’s dream pick for next year would be to secure the services of Carlos Sainz, while Mercedes junior star driver Kimi Antonelli matures further. Yet Sainz will require more than just a one year deal with a team fading in glory.

TJ13 reported before the Chinese GP that Mercedes were in fact leaning towards offering Esteban Ocon a year alongside George Russell while Antonelli finds his feet.

Wolff concludes his thoughts by issuing an ‘out with the old – in with the new’ relying call to Mercedes. “Twelve years with Lewis was incredible, but now there’s a refresh.”

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Mercedes “all at sea” face threat of losing Allison

With five races down, the 2024 Formula One season is gathering momentum and next time out its a glitz and glamour new favourite around the Miami street track. Now Mercedes F1 would have us believe, its early days this year and theres plenty of time to turn around their woeful start to the year but with 20% of the race calendar already completed the same old excuses coming from Toto Wolff are starting to ring hollow.

One bright spot in China for the former world champions came as the result of wet weather during Sprint qualifying. As the rains came, Hamilton – like Samson in ancient times – rose one more time to claim pole position briefly before Lando Norris blitzed his lap time by over a second… READ MORE