“I’ve always seen a driver’s departure as a new opportunity for the team” : Toto Wolff on Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes exit
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff remains optimistic despite the departure of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton next season. The Briton announced earlier this season that he would join Ferrari after the end of the 2024 season, after spending over a decade at Mercedes.
Toto Wolff believes that every departure brings about a fresh opportunity, which he hopes is the case this time around. Lewis Hamilton won six titles whilst his time at the Silver Arrows, winning all of them in his first eight seasons here.
Mercedes remain one of the only four teams to finalize their pairing for the 2025 season, as they are yet to decide as to who would race alongside George Russell. Toto Wolff revealed that F1 prodigy Kimi Antonelli is their first choice option, but they are also scanning the market currently.
“I’ve always seen a driver’s departure as a new opportunity for the team. Change is good and you have to embrace it,” Wolff told Autosport Wereld. “The criteria for our next driver is simple: we want the best driver available and, at the moment, my first option is Kimi Antonelli,” he added.
Toto Wolff says Max Verstappen joining Mercedes in the near future is unlikely
Toto Wolff has expressed his desire to sign three-time world champion and Red Bull driver Max Verstappen. The Austrian boss accepts that signing him for the 2025 season might sound a little too ambitious, however, they will not give up on him just yet.
Carlos Sainz was another name rumored to join Mercedes earlier. However, Toto Wolff clarified that they are not looking to sign the Spaniard. “At the moment, my first option is Kimi. An alternative scenario is of course Verstappen, but atm that doesn’t seem realistic” “I will continue to observe the market. I am not sure how things will evolve further at Red Bull,” Wolff said.
All is not well in the Mercedes garage at the moment as Red Bull have been caught up by rivals this season. Max Verstappen has not claimed a race win in the last four races heading to the summer break, despite leading the championship. Moreover, war of words between the Dutchman’s father Jos Verstappen and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner raises several eyebrows.
