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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff recently shared a raw, emotional confession about Lewis Hamilton, stirring fans worldwide. The revelation comes months after Hamilton shocked the Formula 1 world by ending his 12-year partnership with Mercedes—a collaboration that yielded six of his seven world titles and eight consecutive constructors’ championships—to join Ferrari in 2025. Wolff and Hamilton’s bond redefined F1 success, transforming Mercedes into an unstoppable force.
But during the Australian Grand Prix, Wolff faced a poignant moment that laid bare just how deeply he still feels about the Briton’s departure—even as their paths now diverge.
Toto Wolff’s unfiltered Lewis Hamilton tribute
Wolff’s vulnerability surfaced post-race in Melbourne when asked about Hamilton’s absence from the Mercedes garage for the first time since 2013.
“You know I was looking at the screens at times and the way I looked at it was like we had three drivers, because I looked at RUS, at ANT and at HAM,” he admitted, referencing George Russell, rookie Kimi Antonelli, and Hamilton. “And you realise HAM is with Ferrari and not us anymore. It was such a long time, it is logic—you cannot just say he is gone and you don’t care anymore.”
The Austrian’s candor didn’t stop there. “We very much care how he is doing, but obviously on track he is the competition and we need to beat the competition.”
The admission—equal parts nostalgic and pragmatic—captured the bittersweet reality of Hamilton’s move. Though Wolff’s focus remains on Mercedes’ future, the emotional residue of their decade-long dominance lingers.
Melbourne’s mixed emotions: Beating Hamilton, honoring legacy
The Australian GP underscored Wolff’s conflicting sentiments. While Mercedes celebrated Russell’s podium (third) and Antonelli’s impressive fourth-place debut, Hamilton struggled in his Ferrari, finishing tenth. Wolff acknowledged the team’s progress but tempered excitement:
“We had good pace… [but] further work is needed to match the likes of McLaren.” Lando Norris’ victory for McLaren highlighted the gap Mercedes still aims to close.
For Wolff, the weekend was a microcosm of F1’s relentless evolution. Antonelli’s penalty reversal—a five-second punishment for an unsafe release, later overturned—symbolized resilience. Yet Hamilton’s presence loomed large, a ghost of past glory now racing in red.
Looking ahead: Legacy and letting go
Hamilton’s departure marks a new chapter for Mercedes, but Wolff’s words reveal how deeply intertwined their legacies remain. “It was such a long time,” he repeated, emphasizing the irreplaceable void left by the Briton. Yet Wolff’s pragmatism shines through: beating Hamilton isn’t personal—it’s business.
As Mercedes rebuilds around Russell and Antonelli, Wolff’s honesty offers fans closure. The team that once revolved around Hamilton now charts its own course. But in quiet moments, when Wolff glances at timing screens, the past still flickers—a testament to a partnership that reshaped F1 history.
