'We want to beat him' - Toto Wolff offers opinion on 'iconic' Lewis Hamilton Ferrari move

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has offered his thoughts on Lewis Hamilton's "iconic" move to Ferrari, but has underlined that the Silver Arrows "want to beat" its former driver. 

Hamilton announced ahead of the 2024 F1 season that he would be joining the Scuderia from 2025 on a multi-year deal, surprising Wolff. 

Over the recent winter break and during pre-season testing in Bahrain, Mercedes has been forced to adjust to seeing Hamilton wearing red, rather than the Brackley-based team's colours. 

At first, Wolff found it bizarre given the duration of Hamilton's affiliation with the German manufacturer, but has quickly become used to the huge change.

"At first it was a strange thought how he would look after so many days in the Mercedes," Wolff told OE24. 

"But then he rode up in his red outfit and in the red car. In these fast-moving times you quickly get used to it. Now it's a normal image for me."

The world's first real image of Hamilton at Ferrari was posted on his first day in Maranello back in January. 

The seven-time world champion posed in a black suit next to a Ferrari F40, in front of Enzo Ferrari's former home.

Wolff was a big fan of the photo, although has shared a comical moment with Hamilton since it was taken.

"There was something iconic about him standing there in his Godfather outfit in a suit," said Wolff.

"I said to him: 'I've been trying to get you into a suit for 12 years, and then you do it on your first day at Ferrari.' We both laughed a lot."

Despite Hamilton having joined one of Mercedes' biggest rivals, Wolff and the 40-year-old remain on good terms; however, it is business as usual on the circuit.

"It's not that bad," Wolff insisted. "We are very good friends. On a personal level, I wish him all the best, but on the racetrack we want to beat him."