Wolff sees new team leader thrive after team dynamic change with Hamilton's departure

14:43, 09 May

byKada Sarkozi

Together, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes could achieve many outstanding results in Formula 1, including six drivers' title and eight constructors' championships. After six rounds in 2025, Toto Wolff reflected on the 'void' left by the Briton.

Wolff: 'Hamilton needed a refresher'

Asked about Hamilton's departure as the quarter of the 2025 season has been completed, the Austrian team principal wanted to make clear that he has a good relationship with the seven-time world champion.

“I want to avoid some headlines. We're still great friends with Lewis," he began at the press conference, where GPblog was present.

"I spent a lot of time with him, traveling, and I’m still seeing him. It came to a point last year where, you know, it's like spending 12 years in a row on holiday with your best friend. At a certain stage you say, well, maybe do something else this time around. And for Lewis, he needed a refresher, a reinvention. Ferrari is iconic, no doubt about that.”

Mercedes decided to replace the experienced driver with a rookie, Kimi Antonelli. About the Italian, Wolff said: “And with us, Kimi was in the starting blocks – eventually it was this year or it would have been next year to bring him in. Bringing him in this year means we have a learning year before new regulations kick in. He's going to know all the tracks, which for example, this one he’s never been to, and that felt like the right decision.”

Antonelli secured pole position for the sprint race in Miami

“Lewis was part of the family,” the Mercedes team principal continued about whether the atmosphere has changed at the team now that Hamilton is no longer there

"As a racing driver, he knew exactly what he wanted and the engineers and mechanics knew him. He knew them. We got along. You have good days, bad days, strengths and weaknesses. But when you know someone that well, it's easy to manage that."

George Russell has been also very consistent so far this season. Wolff also praised him after he took up a new 'role' within the German team. "Now the dynamic is different. George has massively stepped up as a senior driver in the team. Kimi is almost like the young brother that's come in. They work well together, which is very pleasing to see. Kimi doesn't stress too much, he's just building up constantly. And on George, you can rely on him when it comes to lap times and racing. So spirits are high."

This article was written in collaboration with Kevin Doldersum