Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has stated that he has no regrets about the decisions that may have led to Lewis Hamilton’s departure from the team at the end of the 2024 season.
In an unexpected announcement in February, Hamilton revealed that he had signed with Ferrari for the 2025 season and beyond.
This decision will bring an end to one of the most successful driver-team partnerships in F1 history after eight seasons.
Speaking to the BBC, Wolff was asked if he regretted any decisions that ultimately led Hamilton to sign a long-term deal with Ferrari and leave Mercedes. Wolff’s response was clear: “No.”
“We’ve always been very transparent with Lewis. So, there’s no bad feeling between us, and I have no regrets about it.”
“It was something he needed—a change. This was the longest driver-team relationship in F1, lasting a total of 12 years. Lewis needed to reinvent himself.”
“Becoming a Ferrari driver is a highly prestigious position. Maybe as a team, it was time for us to move in a different direction as well,” Wolff added.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari will allow him to continue competing in Formula 1 into his 40s as he chases a record-breaking eighth World Championship.
The British driver came close to claiming that elusive eighth title in 2021, but decisions made by then-race director Michael Masi altered the course of the final race, leading to Red Bull driver Max Verstappen becoming the 2021 champion.
Wolff, while still frustrated by Masi’s decisions, insisted that the race outcome did not affect Hamilton’s status as “the greatest.”
“Hamilton is the best F1 driver of all time.”
“He’s broken all the records. In terms of championships, he’s tied with another legend, Michael Schumacher.”
“Would I have wanted things to turn out differently? Absolutely. Do I think what happened in 2021 was fair? No, I don’t.”
“But we can’t turn back time, and losing a race or a championship isn’t the worst thing in the world. There’s more drama happening in the real world.”
