Toto Wolff has quashed the theory that Lewis Hamilton ditched Mercedes after testing their car for 2024. Some Formula One fans had raised the theory that the seven-time champion only decided to join Ferrari in 2025 when he realised the Silver Arrows would not be competitive this year.
Hamilton will join Ferrari in 2025 after 11 years with Mercedes, during which time he won six of his seven world titles. The 39-year-old informed team principal Wolff of his decision on Wednesday before the announcement was made on Thursday.
Having seen Hamilton grow frustrated with Mercedes’ technical struggles over the past two years, fans wondered if he had jumped ship after realising that the Silver Arrows will not be competitive in 2024.
However, Wolff has played down that rumour and insists that Hamilton had not tested Mercedes’ car for the new season until Friday. Asked when the Briton would first test the simulator, Wolff said on Friday: “Today.”
It debunks the theory that Hamilton had tested the W15 before deciding to switch to Ferrari. Wolff also insisted that the driver put forward ideas during the development of the vehicle.
The Austrian added: “First of all, the car has been developed in the team with a lot of science and a lot of data and the driver gives us guidance of what he feels in the car, and then this is being dissected and then decided whether it happens or not.
“So we must not underplay nor overplay the input of a driver and the development of a car.”
Asked if Mercedes missed an opportunity to persuade Hamilton to remain for the long-term future, Wolff insisted: “No. Everything that we are doing we are doing it with consciousness and open eyes. And we felt that a longer-term contract would limit our options going forward.
“So absolutely aware of all the positives and negatives and weighing it up, that is what we decided to do.”
Hamilton signed a new deal with Mercedes last summer which was supposed to keep him alongside George Russell for the 2024 and 2025 agreements. However, he U-turned on that deal last week, deciding that he will break the contract midway through to join Ferrari.
He will link up with Charles Leclerc at the Scuderia team, with Carlos Sainz stepping aside. Sainz has been linked with replacing Hamilton at Mercedes.
