F1 News: Toto Wolff reveals how Lewis Hamilton told him of SURPRISE Ferrari switch

Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff at the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

Wolff reveals how Hamilton told him of SURPRISE Ferrari switch

The seven-time world champion is ditching his Mercedes team

Sam Cook Digital Journalist

Sports Journalist who has been covering motorsport since 2023

Saturday 3 February 2024 10:59 Updated: 14:36

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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has said that he and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton had a 'good hour of conversation' when the 39-year-old first told him of his plans to leave the Brackley-based team.

It was announced earlier this week that Hamilton would join Ferrari at the start of 2025, meaning this upcoming Formula 1 season will be his last with the team that has helped him claim six of his seven championship titles.

While the news came as a huge shock for the world of F1, Wolff had already found out the news some time before it was made official.

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It was no secret that Hamilton had already rejected Ferrari chairman John Elkann's offer before signing a new Mercedes contract less than five months ago, but it turns out that 'shorter term' contract led to the 39-year-old being able to negotiate with the Maranello-based team for the 2025 season.

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Hamilton timing surprised Wolff

Now, Wolff has said the only thing that surprised him about Hamilton's exit was the timing, with Mercedes about to embark in a majorly important season as they seek to close the gap to world champions Red Bull.

"We signed the contract with Lewis, we opted for shorter term," the Austrian told Sky Sports.

"So the events are not a surprise, maybe the timing. So what happened is that we got together for coffee in my place in Oxford and basically him returning to the factory, and he said to me that he has decided to race with Ferrari in 2025.

"That was basically it, and we had a good hour of conversation and this is where we are."

Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Mercedes Formula 1 Toto Wolff John Elkann