Toto Wolff shares update on Lewis Hamilton relationship after Ferrari move

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has asserted he maintains a friendship with Lewis Hamilton despite his switch to Ferrari.

Hamilton brought an end to his association with Mercedes at the end of the 2024 campaign.

The seven-time champion joined Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc for a new career chapter, but has largely struggled across the opening rounds of the season.

Wolff was at the helm of the Mercedes throughout Hamilton's entire stint at the Brackley-based squad, which included an incredible 84 race wins and six F1 titles.

The Austrian has detailed his friendship with the 40-year-old remains unchanged.

“We're still great friends with Lewis,” Wolff told media including RacingNews365. 

“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. 

“Ferrari is iconic, no doubt about that. Certainly he also got terms that were interesting for him.”

Hamilton was replaced at the team by rookie Kimi Antonelli to commence a new era for Mercedes.

Wolff highlighted it was only a matter of time before the Italian protégé was handed a promotion to the squad.

“With us, Kimi was in the starting blocks – eventually it was this year or it would have been next year to bring him in,” Wolff said.

“Bringing him in this year means we have a learning year before new regulations kick in. 

“He's going to know all the tracks and that felt like the right decision.”