Mercedes crew boss Toto Wolff has revealed that he suspected that Lewis Hamilton would possibly depart from the Brackley-based outfit after Ferrari crew boss Fred Vasseur didn’t reply to his message
Lewis Hamilton introduced his shock departure from Mercedes on the first of February. The announcement caught the System One group abruptly because the seven-time world champion was on account of race for the Brackley-based outfit till the top of 2025.
Nonetheless, the Briton elected to terminate his contract on the finish of the present season and look for a brand new problem at Ferrari subsequent 12 months. Hamilton is statistically essentially the most profitable driver within the historical past of System One, however he’s tied with the good German seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher on the variety of world championship titles.
Mercedes crew boss Toto Wolff initially indicated that he was first knowledgeable about Hamilton’s plans by the seven-time world champion himself after they sat down for his or her regular pre-season assembly.
Nonetheless, chatting with the Excessive Efficiency podcast, Wolff stated that an preliminary name from Carlos Sainz Sr., father of the Ferrari driver Carlos had been the place he first bought the primary indication that one thing was within the offing.
“So I heard the bells ringing two weeks earlier than. Yeah, the outdated man Sainz known as me and stated, that is what’s occurring. After which there have been just a few drivers’ dads rang me up that did not earlier than. So I assumed, Okay…there’s one thing occurring there.”
Wolff has revealed that he contacted his pal, Ferrari crew boss Fred Vasseur after his dialog with Carlos Sainz, however he didn’t obtain any response from the Frenchman.
“After which I despatched a textual content to [Ferrari boss] Fred Vasseur saying: ‘You take our driver?’ Did not get any response. Very uncommon for Fred. He is pal. So yeah, I noticed it coming.”
Hamilton and Wolff historically caught up after the winter break to replicate on their vacation and speak concerning the forthcoming season. Though it has been a practice, it was very totally different this time round because the Briton revealed that he would depart from the crew he has secured six world titles with.
“When Lewis arrived in the home, like he did so a few years earlier than, we had a little bit of a small speak, like we all the time do concerning the Christmas holidays and all of that.
“Then I stated, “Effectively, we’re recruiting from Ferrari now. We bought this man.” And Lewis was, “Oh, there’s one thing I have to let you know.” And yeah, when he stated that, that preliminary second was a bit little bit of… so that is actually occurring?”
Regardless of the success that Mercedes has had with the seven-time world champion, Wolff reckons that he might shortly settle for Hamilton’s determination.
“Effectively, I had a lot worse in my life, occurring, like actual drama and trauma. This isn’t even shifting the needle. It is only a new state of affairs.
“It has dangers and alternatives, dangers within the sense of how do I inform the sponsors as shortly as attainable? As a result of it was leaking… And on the opposite facet, what are we doing about subsequent 12 months?”
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