20 hours Ago
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff explained how it felt a little bizarre to see Lewis Hamilton in a Ferrari kit ahead of the new F1 season. Mercedes chief Toto Wolff has revealed how his team are adjusting to Lewis Hamilton ’s new chapter at Ferrari . Ahead of the 2024 Formula 1 season, the seven-time world champion announced he would be joining the Scuderia in 2025.
The multi-year deal initially surprised Wolff, but the Mercedes team principal now claims he has gotten accustomed to seeing Hamilton in Ferrari’s red. “He rode up in his red outfit and the red car," Wolff told OE24, as per multiple outlets. “In these fast-moving times, you quickly get used to it.
Now it’s a normal image for me," he added. Over the recent winter break and the pre-season testing in Bahrain, Mercedes had to adjust to seeing Lewis Hamilton without the Brackley-based team’s colours. Toto Wolff explained how it felt a little bizarre to see Hamilton in the Ferrari kit, given the time he was affiliated with the German Manufacturer.
“At first, it was a strange thought how he would look after so many days in the Mercedes," Wolff said. The first image of Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari was revealed on his first day in Maranello back in January. The multi-time world champion posed in a black suit, next to a Ferrari F40.
The photograph was in front of Enzo Ferrari’s former home. Toto Wolff was also a big fan of the unveiling photo. “There was something iconic about him standing there in his Godfather outfit in a suit," said the Mercedes chief.
Toto Wolff later shared a comical moment with Lewis Hamilton after the photograph was taken. “I said to him: ‘I’ve been trying to get you into a suit for 12 years, and then you do it on your first day at Ferrari.’ We both laughed a lot," he said.
Wolff also opened up on how he remained on good terms with the 40-year-old racer despite the sudden team switch. “It’s not that bad. We are very good friends," Wolff insisted.
The Mercedes chief, however, admitted that he wanted to defeat Hamilton’s team on the racetrack. “On a personal level, I wish him all the best, but on the racetrack, we want to beat him," Wolff concluded. Lewis Hamilton is eyeing an eighth World Championship this season.
He will be seen in action later this week during the Australian Grand Prix. It is scheduled to take place at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit on Sunday, March 16..
