Steiner dismisses Wolff’s words about Hamilton as “bullsh!t” – “He doesn’t want that for himself”: Guenther Steiner calls Wolff’s farewell to Hamilton “bullshit” – After the dramatic end to the 2024 Formula One season in Abu Dhabi, Mercedes bid a heartfelt farewell to their star driver Lewis Hamilton.
As Hamilton prepares to join Ferrari in 2025, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed his support for the seven-time world champion, even going so far as to claim he would cheer Hamilton on if Mercedes were to miss out on the championship next year. However, former Haas team boss Guenther Steiner was quick to dismiss Wolff’s comments as insincere, branding them “bullshit”.
A tearful farewell: Hamilton’s emotional exit from Mercedes
The 2024 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix marked the end of an era for Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes. After 12 years with the Silver Arrows, during which he won six of his seven world titles, Hamilton crossed the finish line in a Mercedes for the last time. The British driver was visibly emotional as the realisation of his departure set in.
The partnership between Hamilton and Mercedes has been one of the most successful in F1 history. From 2025, however, Hamilton will be wearing Ferrari red in his quest for an eighth world championship.
The move to Ferrari signals not only a new chapter in Hamilton’s illustrious career, but also a seismic shift in the competitive dynamics of Formula One.
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Wolff’s words of support for Hamilton
After the Abu Dhabi race, Mercedes went out of their way to celebrate Hamilton’s contribution.
On the team radio, Toto Wolff’s voice was full of emotion as he addressed the departing driver: “We love you! You will always be part of the Mercedes family. If we don’t win, you should”.
These sentiments were later echoed by Wolff during a media session. In his comments, Wolff insisted that Hamilton “deserves an eighth championship”. Such an achievement would allow Hamilton to surpass Michael Schumacher’s joint record of seven world titles and claim the mantle of the most decorated driver in F1 history.
“We’ll be competitors, but I told him that if we don’t win, we’ll cheer him on,” said Wolff, underlining both his admiration for Hamilton and the friendly rivalry that will exist between them in the future.
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Steiner questions Wolff’s authenticity
Not everyone was convinced by Wolff’s seemingly magnanimous comments. Guenther Steiner, the outspoken former Haas team principal, dismissed Wolff’s comments as insincere. Speaking on the Red Flags Podcast, Steiner did not mince his words when asked about Wolff’s comments.
“Oh no, he doesn’t wish that on him,” Steiner said bluntly. “That was just bullshit for the camera, that was just for the camera,” he added, expressing scepticism about Wolff’s true intentions.
Steiner, who became a TV analyst in 2024 after leaving Haas earlier this year, has never shied away from controversy. His outspoken opinions have often polarised fans and insiders alike, but his comments on Wolff reflect a wider feeling among some in the paddock that rival team bosses rarely, if ever, genuinely wish each other success.
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Wolff’s balancing act: Sportsmanship or strategy?
Toto Wolff’s comments about Hamilton’s future have sparked debate about the line between sportsmanship and pragmatism in Formula One.
While Wolff’s words appear to reflect genuine admiration for Hamilton’s achievements and character, they also serve a strategic purpose. Publicly supporting Hamilton could help maintain goodwill among fans and the media, even as Mercedes transitions into a new era without its star driver.
It is also worth noting that Wolff’s primary loyalty remains to Mercedes.
“His team, the drivers and his own brand are of course the most important thing,” Wolff admitted in the same media session. While he may have expressed his support for Hamilton, the Austrian made it clear that Mercedes will continue to fight to regain their dominance in the sport.
“We’re going to give it our all,” Wolff promised, emphasising that the team’s priority is to win. Whether Wolff’s goodwill extends beyond words will be tested as the 2025 season unfolds.
Hamilton’s Ferrari challenge: A new era in F1
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari has already generated immense anticipation among fans and pundits alike. Ferrari, the sport’s most iconic team, have not won a Drivers’ Championship since Kimi Raikkonen’s triumph in 2007. Hamilton’s arrival brings not only immense talent, but also the experience and leadership needed to revive the Scuderia’s championship ambitions.
For Hamilton, the move to Ferrari represents both an opportunity and a risk. While the allure of driving for Ferrari is undeniable, the team has struggled with inconsistency and strategic errors in recent years.
An eighth championship in Ferrari red would cement Hamilton’s legacy as one of the greatest drivers of all time. But the road to success is far from guaranteed.
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The bigger picture: Rivalries and respect in F1
The public spat between Wolff and Hamilton highlights the unique dynamics of F1, where fierce competition often coexists with mutual respect between the sport’s top figures.
While Steiner’s comments suggest that Wolff’s support for Hamilton may be performative, it is not uncommon for team principals to engage in strategic messaging to shape public perception.
As the 2025 season approaches, the spotlight will remain firmly on Hamilton and his new chapter with Ferrari. At the same time, Mercedes will be keen to prove they can succeed without their most famous driver. The challenge for Wolff will be to manage this transition while maintaining the team’s reputation and competitiveness.
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Looking ahead: A season of uncertainty
The 2025 F1 season promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory. With Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, competition between the top teams on the grid is set to intensify. Meanwhile, the likes of Guenther Steiner will continue to provide incisive commentary on the drama unfolding both on and off the track.
Whether Wolff’s words to Hamilton were heartfelt or merely a calculated gesture, one thing is certain: the battle for F1 supremacy is far from over. As the new season gets underway, fans can expect a mix of thrilling on-track action and compelling off-track stories to make the sport as compelling as ever.
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McLaren F1 are the second oldest Formula One team in existence today, only Ferrari have competed in more championship battles since 1950. The team was founded by New Zealand racing driver Bruce McLaren first entered F1 at the 1966 Monaco Grand Prix with just one entry driven by the founder himself.
Bruce qualified his Ford powered McLaren in tenth place but suffered an oil leak in the principality which forced him to retire from the Grand Prix. He was not alone as F1 was in an era where speed was favoured over reliability which saw just four drivers complete the Monaco race with Jackie Steward winning in his BRM.
When Bruce died testing a CAM-AM car McLaren at the Goodwood motor circuit in 1970, the team looked as though it may implode. Yet Teddy Mayer managed to keep the lights on in the factory and led the team to their first F1 constructors’ championship four years later along with James Hunt collecting the drivers’ title…READ MORE ON THIS STORY
With over 30 years of experience in Formula 1 as an insider journalist, I have built trusted connections across the paddock, from race engineers and mechanics to senior team figures. At The Judge 13, I and a handful of trusted colleagues share exclusive Formula 1 news, expert analysis and behind-the-scenes stories you will not find in mainstream motorsport media.
