Ahead of the 2025 F1 Miami GP, Team Principal and CEO of Mercedes AMG F1 Team Toto Wolff talked all Hamilton, Russell and Antonelli and the details about his former drivers and current roster.
In the previous F1 season, Lewis Hamilton made the shock move to Scuderia Ferrari. Where he moved away from his 12-year-long partnership with Mercedes AMG Formula 1 team. In place of Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes wasted no time in signing the new rookie Kimi Antonelli to race alongside George Russell in 2025.
When Wolff was asked about the team dynamics now after Hamilton’s departure at Fridays press conference, he wanted to make it known that there are no hard feelings and said:
“I want to avoid some headlines. We’re still great friends with Lewis. I spent a lot of time with him, travelling, 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.”
Wolff continued on further about how Antonelli was going to be brought in, even if Hamilton was going to stay or go.
“Ferrari is iconic, no doubt about that. Certainly, he also got terms that were interesting for him. 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.”
Wolff’s view on Hamilton at Ferrari
Hamilton’s performance at Ferrari has been nothing short of underwhelming for the seven-time F1 champion.
When Wolff was asked if he thought Hamilton still had the magic to perform in Formula 1. Wolff didn’t mince his words and backed Hamilton fully, and said:
“I think we saw that magic in the Sprint Race – was it Shanghai? He was completely dominating that race. It’s not like you have the magic in one race and then suddenly you lose the magic in the next one. I very much believe that it’s still there. If he aligns all his performance contributors and feels he is in the right space and the car is to his liking, he will be stellar. I have no doubt”.
But Wolff also understands the challenges Hamilton is facing, being put in a new car.
“But I’m also not surprised it has those road bumps. He was with us 12 years – the way of operating. He’s been put in a Ferrari, where his teammate has been a long time. And his teammate clearly is one of the very good ones. So, from the outside and speaking to him, it’s a trajectory any new driver needs to go through in a top team”.
The atmosphere inside the Mercedes garage
With a big name like Lewis Hamilton leaving the Mercedes garage. To being replaced by Kimi Antonelli and Russell stepping up and becoming the senior driver. A lot has changed in the Mercedes Paddock.
When Wolff was asked about the atmosphere inside the garage for this season and about the difference without Lewis Hamilton, he said:
“No, I wouldn’t say so. Lewis was part of the family. 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.
On the other hand, Wolff did agree that the overall “dynamic is different”.
“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.”
Russell has outperformed in the Mercedes this season with three podiums to his name. Antonelli secured his first pole position at the F1 Miami GP Sprint Qualifying.
Wolff can “rely on” Russell’s pace
As Russell makes strides in the Mercedes team, he has become a part of the Mercedes AMG F1 family since joining the team from Williams in 2022.
He has been a driving force in Mercedes’ success in the last few years.
Securing 3 wins and 18 podiums for the team throughout his Mercedes career. When Wolff was asked how Russell has stepped up, he made it clear that he is one to “rely on” and said:
“I think it becomes so obvious, when a seven-time World Champion leaves the team which he was with for 12 years, George, who like everyone has always been a little bit in the shadow of Lewis, is now the one giving direction. He’s the one you can rely on when it’s “George, where’s the pace of the car?” And that is important. That is what we do.”
Wolff then added confidently after being asked if they would re-sign the Briton.
“George is part of the Mercedes family and has always been. As I see things today, why break a team that is on a trajectory I see as positive”
