Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has opened up on particulars surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s shock transfer to Ferrari – and the way he obtained an early tip-off from Carlos Sainz Sr.
Hamilton advised Wolff throughout a go to to his home on the finish of January that he can be activating an exit clause in his Mercedes contract and becoming a member of Ferrari for the 2025 season.
However whereas Hamilton’s announcement was the primary official affirmation that Wolff had of his driver’s departure, he has now spoken at size about how he had been alerted to the prospect for a short time.
Chatting with the Excessive Efficiency podcast, Wolff stated that an preliminary name from Sainz Sr., father of the Ferrari driver Carlos that Hamilton is changing, had been the place he first obtained phrase that one thing was within the offing.
“So I heard the bells ringing two weeks earlier than,” stated Wolff. “Yeah, the previous man Sainz referred to as me and stated, that is what’s taking place.
“After which there have been a number of drivers’ dads rang me up that did not earlier than. So I believed, Okay…there’s one thing happening there.
“After which I despatched a textual content to [Ferrari boss] Fred Vasseur saying: ‘You are taking our driver?’ Did not get any response. Very uncommon for Fred. He is a superb pal. So yeah, I noticed it coming.”
Along with his suspicion in regards to the intention of Hamilton’s go to to his home, Wolff additionally revealed that he threw a curveball into their chat by first telling the seven-time champion about Mercedes having signed former Ferrari chief designer Simone Resta.
Toto Wolff, Staff Principal and CEO, Mercedes-AMG, with Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes-AMG
Picture by: Steve Etherington / Motorsport Photographs
“When Lewis arrived in the home, like he did so a few years earlier than, we had a little bit of a small speak, like we at all times do in regards to the Christmas holidays and all of that,” defined Wolff.
“Then I stated, “Properly, we’re recruiting from Ferrari now. We obtained this man.” And Lewis was, “Oh, there’s one thing I must let you know.” And yeah, when he stated that, that preliminary second was a bit of little bit of… so that is actually taking place?”
When information of Hamilton’s Ferrari determination was made public, it turned one of many greatest shock information occasions of latest F1 historical past.
However Wolff stated that he was in a position to cope with the scenario in fairly a relaxed method.
“Properly, I had a lot worse in my life, taking place, like actual drama and trauma,” he stated. “This isn’t even transferring the needle.”
He added: “It is only a new scenario. It has dangers and alternatives, dangers within the sense of how do I inform the sponsors as shortly as attainable? As a result of it was leaking… And on the opposite facet, what are we doing about subsequent yr?”
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Wolff additionally made it clear that there was no temptation from his facet to attempt to persuade Hamilton to alter his thoughts.
“I believe if somebody decides to go, then it’s essential allow them to go,” he stated. “I had a chat with Pep Guardiola a very long time in the past, and he’s a pal. I stated, ‘What do you do if this and that participant leaves?’ And he stated, ‘What do you imply I do?’ I stated, ‘Properly, do you attempt to persuade them to remain?’
“He stated: ‘No, if anyone thinks he can play elsewhere higher or earns extra – you’ve got simply obtained to allow them to go.’ And it’s one thing that I embrace in the identical approach right here. Any person needs to go – then let’s make it pretty much as good as attainable for every of the events.”
