Hamilton 'spirits high' despite looming Mercedes exit – Wolff

Toto Wolff has revealed the spirit inside Mercedes and that of Lewis Hamilton remain "high" despite the seven-time F1 champion's impending exit. 

The realisation that his time with Mercedes will soon be over appeared to hit Hamilton over the Italian Grand Prix weekend during which the Silver Arrows finally confirmed Andrea Kimi Antonelli as his replacement. 

Hamilton has raced for the Brackley-based team since joining from McLaren in 2013, although his relationship with Mercedes dates back to when he was a teenager. 

The 39-year-old received support from Mercedes during his karting career, whilst he has never taken part in an F1 race without using a power unit from the German manufacturer. 

That will change when he completes his meteoric move to Ferrari next season when he will partner Charles Leclerc. 

In Monza, Wolff was asked whether he has seen a change in Hamilton's demeanour recently, something the Austrian firmly denied.

"No, it's great," Wolff told select media including RacingNews365. "It's super productive, the way we work with each other. 

"The spirits are high. We enjoy F1, all of us together. The relationships between Lewis and the team members have not at all been impacted, on the contrary. 

"I feel there's a really, really good mood in all of us working together."

Antonelli announcement 'surreal'

Hamilton has known since January he will not be a Mercedes driver next year, with Wolff deciding quickly that Antonelli would be his replacement.

Hamilton's time as a Mercedes driver will go down in F1 history after winning six drivers' titles and helping the team claim eight constructors' championships.

Whilst it was Hamilton's decision to join Ferrari, it did not make it any less "emotional" seeing another driver confirmed in his seat.

"I've known for ages," Hamilton revealed to select media including RacingNews365, when asked if Antonelli being announced was odd for him.

"I knew it'd be announced [in Monza], and I definitely woke up and it was very, very surreal just to have it, at least officially, confirmed my seat's going.

"I've held on to it for so long, so it was quite emotional, but [I'm] really, really happy for Kimi [Antonelli] and for this team. I know Kimi is gonna do a great job."