Mercedes workforce principal Toto Wolff has insisted Lewis Hamilton’s choice to depart for Ferrari in 2025 was not a shock, however admitted the timing, simply three weeks earlier than the primary day of testing for the brand new season, was.

The 2024 season will likely be Hamilton’s final on the workforce that has delivered him six of his seven world titles, and the 39-year-old described parting methods with Mercedes as “one of many hardest” selections he has ever needed to make.

The information comes simply 5 months after Hamilton signed a two-year Mercedes contract for 2024 and 2025, albeit with an exit clause that allowed him to drive a cut up on the finish of the upcoming season.

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Wolff realized of Hamilton’s plan when the 2 met for breakfast on Wednesday morning, the day earlier than the information was introduced to the world.

“Once we re-signed the contract with Lewis we opted for a shorter time period, so the occasions should not a shock, however perhaps the timing is,” Wolff stated.

“What occurred is that we acquired collectively for espresso in my place in Oxford, with him returning to the manufacturing facility [this week], and he stated to me that he has determined to race for Ferrari in 2025.

“That was mainly it and we had a superb hour of dialog and that is the place we’re.”

Wolff stated he had heard rumours within the build-up to his assembly with Hamilton and stated the seven-time champion’s need to race for Ferrari didn’t shock him.

“In a manner, Formulation One and my earlier life have made me impervious to surprises. I have been confronted so many occasions in my life with black swans that it was a shock, however as I stated earlier than we went open-eyed into this part of our relationship.

“We knew that it could possibly be a yr, it could possibly be two [before Hamilton left]; we knew that it could come to an finish on the newest the top of 2025. The shock was that I heard the rumours a few days earlier, however I wished to attend for the breakfast we had deliberate, and that was Wednesday morning. That is when he broke the information.

“However you already know with me you will be very simple as a result of I am simple too. So as soon as he stated ‘that is what I am attempting to do,’ that was the very fact and I did not attempt to persuade him in any other case, however simply trying ahead: ‘OK, what are we doing about communications? What is the timing? How will we shield the workforce finest? And the way will we shield this 2024 yr to achieve success along with our two drivers with out inflicting an excessive amount of awkwardness?'”

Wolff stated on the finish of final yr he believed his driver was nonetheless absolutely dedicated to Mercedes however understands why Hamilton modified his thoughts.

“I can’t inform you precisely [the reasons for Hamilton’s decision], all I do know is that we had been very aligned after we went into the Christmas interval and I believe now we have stated that in public and within the workforce,” Wolff added. “You must ask Lewis why he modified his thoughts.

“How he framed it to me is completely comprehensible, he wanted a brand new problem and he was in search of a special atmosphere and this was perhaps the final chance to do one thing else.

“We’re huge boys, we knew that signing a short-term contract could possibly be of profit to either side. We could not commit for an extended interval and he has taken the choice to exit.

“So, in a manner, we completely respect you could change your thoughts in numerous circumstances, and switching to Ferrari perhaps for the final peak in his profession, perhaps rolling the cube a bit, I can comply with that call.

“Each race driver goals about being in a purple total and within the purple automobile. We have mentioned it many occasions earlier than that this might be an thrilling to do at some point. However over time we got here to the conclusion that staying at Mercedes and ending the legacy right here is one thing that one will be happy with.

“However I by no means ignore the potential for change — whether or not it is Ferrari or one other workforce — so that is what it’s. The very fact did not shock me in any respect, perhaps the timing, however I can perceive the place he was coming from and that was to guard the workforce’s curiosity going ahead.”

Wolff stated he was absolutely conscious that the contract he signed with Hamilton final yr would permit for this state of affairs and that Mercedes had been open to it because it supplied the workforce the potential to method rival drivers.

Nonetheless, he admits that the current signings of Charles Leclerc on a long-term contract to Ferrari and Lando Norris to McLaren past 2026 have restricted Mercedes’ choices.

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“Once we determined Lewis and us to go for a short-term contract, we knew why we had been doing it. It’s to depart him choices open and on the identical time us. It is an thrilling scenario on the finish of 2024 with some drivers turning into out there, others simply signed a number of weeks in the past so these ones would have been alternatives.

“If it was six weeks earlier, there would have been extra alternatives, however it’s what it’s. However in 2025 and past, the motive force market may be very fascinating and we have to look out to the long run.

“Who’s it that we are able to associate with George? What’s the most effective combo? What’s the most effective mixture? And I believe by way of the drivers who might hopefully be part of, that might be part of, there are a number of choices. At that stage, I would not wish to decide to that is when we’ll do it. I wish to take my time.”

Requested about potential replacements, Wolff stated he wished to maintain choices open.

“I have not actually correctly mirrored with the workforce on the place we wish to go. From a rookie to very skilled as a result of I do not know but what’s the finest for any potential driver coming or for the workforce going ahead. Let me say when you informed me two days in the past that Lewis could be going to Ferrari, I did not suppose it was potential.

“Conditions and issues can change shortly. Contracts are solely pretty much as good as the motive force or the groups wish to race and who is aware of what’s taking place within the driver market that could possibly be sudden or alternatives for us.”

Wolff’s point out of a rookie substitute poses the query of whether or not Mercedes junior driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who’s about to embark on his first season in Formulation 2, could possibly be an choice.

The 17-year-old was racing go-karts simply two years in the past and whereas Wolff didn’t rule him out, he was reluctant to place further stress on the Italian.

“Kimi has been with Mercedes since he was 11,” Wolff stated. “He is been within the junior programme and his profession was very profitable. I believe most necessary at that stage is he focuses on F2.

“If we begin to spin his thoughts or unleash rumours that is not going to assist his F2 marketing campaign. He is simply stepped out of karts a number of years in the past. He isn’t even 18. I’d quite not begin any hypothesis about Kimi going into F1 at this stage.”