Red Bull senior advisor Helmut Marko could not resist taking a jab at Mercedes and Toto Wolff after Lewis Hamilton surprised the Formula One world by leaving the Silver Arrows for Ferrari. The Brit is set to depart at the end of the season after over a decade at the Brackley-based outfit.
Wolff admitted to being blindsided by Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes just a few months after signing a new contract. It has left the team frantically trying to replace him for the 2025 campaign, where the seven-time world champion will race alongside Charles Leclerc in Maranello red.
Speaking to OE24, Marko was asked to discuss Hamilton’s exit and it was put to him that the 39-year-old’s relationship with his team principal was previously so close “that no piece of paper would fit between the two.”
Marko cheekily quipped back: “But a Ferrari contract would!” He then insisted that Hamilton’s departure would come as a setback for Red Bull’s rivals. “I see it as weakening Mercedes,” he added. “Whether it strengthens Ferrari remains to be seen. Overall, this has an incredible impact, right down to the stock market prices. It’s great that something is happening.”
The 80-year-old was also excited to watch the season unfold with Hamilton at Mercedes, with all parties aware that he is not committed to the team beyond 2024. “Normally, in a situation like this, your mind is already more focused on the new team,” Marko said. “The current team cannot let him take part in any serious innovations because he would of course take them with him. The whole thing is excellent for sports, better than Netflix.”
Wolff has already claimed that he would take no issue with involving Hamilton in team discussions surrounding their future vehicles, trusting him not to spill their secrets to Ferrari when he makes the switch.
Hamilton’s decision to jump from Mercedes to Ferrari appeared to surprise everyone in the paddock and Marko was no different, though he gave a theory as to the Brit’s motivation for leaving.
“That completely surprised me too, a sporting sensation – especially the timing,” Marko continued. “One wonders how this came about. Mercedes was overtaken by Ferrari in the second half of 2023, and McLaren was also faster. Maybe Hamilton noticed something that the outside world doesn’t yet know.”
Wolff has already debunked the theory that Hamilton opted to leave Mercedes after being disappointed with their W15 vehicle. The team principal confirmed that the first time Hamilton stepped in the simulator to test the car was February 2, the day after his move to Ferrari was confirmed.
