F1 boss Toto Wolff makes DISMAL Lewis Hamilton 2025 prediction

Lewis Hamilton

Wolff makes DISMAL Hamilton 2025 prediction

Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton will no longer work together in 2025

Sheona Mountford F1 Journalist

Motorsport journalist working in F1 since 2024.

Friday 17 January 2025 11:54 Updated: 16:21

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Toto Wolff has made a dismal prediction for Lewis Hamilton’s 2025 Formula 1 season, and his debut with Ferrari.

The seven-time world champion announced his exit from Mercedes last year, following a disappointing few seasons at the team after years of championship success.

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However, Hamilton’s final year with the team ended up being his worst in the sport in terms of championship position, where he finished seventh in the drivers’ standings behind team-mate George Russell.

The 40-year-old’s difficulties in qualifying led to devastating remarks from Hamilton, where he claimed he was ‘no longer fast’ after the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix.

Lewis Hamilton's final season with Mercedes was difficult

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Despite a lacklustre final season at Mercedes, there are hopes Hamilton’s former performances will be revived upon his Ferrari debut, and that he can claim that so far elusive eighth world title.

However, his former team boss does not seem to think this will happen in 2025, the last year of the current ground effect cars that he believes have not suited Hamilton’s driving style.

"This generation of car doesn't suit Lewis. He brakes late and drives the car aggressively into the corners," Wolff said to Auto Motor und Sport.

"The car and the tires sometimes don't forgive that. It's more noticeable in qualifying than in the race.

"There may have been other factors involved. I don't think his head was already on his new team. Lewis is too professional for that."

Toto Wolff reveals Lewis Hamilton title doubts

Wolff was later asked about how age impacts performance in racing drivers, and whether he had noticed there were things older drivers could not do anymore.

"That affects all of us. But I think that a top athlete like Lewis, who is completely focused on one thing, can put it aside for a long time," he added.

"You can see it best in Fernando [Alonso]. With all his experience, he still drives a fast car. It's similar with Lewis."

Lewis Hamilton Ferrari Mercedes Formula 1 Toto Wolff Qatar Grand Prix