Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff believes it is premature for anyone to dismiss Lewis Hamilton`s capabilities, despite the seven-time world champion`s challenging initial period with Ferrari. Following his move from Wolff`s Mercedes team at the close of last season, Hamilton has yet to secure a podium finish in his first ten Grand Prix races for his new team. This period coincides with Ferrari`s own somewhat disappointing 2025 season. In contrast, his teammate Charles Leclerc has already achieved three top-three finishes and currently holds a 25-point lead over Hamilton in the standings, with Hamilton`s best results coming from Sprint races.
However, Wolff, whose partnership with Hamilton at Mercedes yielded record-breaking success over 12 seasons, asserts that a period of adjustment for the British driver in his new surroundings is entirely natural.
“You don`t unlearn driving that quickly,” remarked the Mercedes team principal in an interview with the Bloomberg Hot Pursuit podcast. “In 2021, he was outstanding. While the regulations changed making things a bit tougher, he still performed at an incredibly high level. Simply changing teams does not mean you suddenly lose your skills.”
Wolff elaborated on the transition process: “I believe everyone requires a phase of adaptation. This involves getting accustomed to a different car with its unique handling characteristics, integrating with a new engineering team, and actively contributing to the car`s continuous development to suit one`s driving style. Ferrari is an entirely Italian team; he`s a British guy parachuted in there – and that inherently takes time.”
He also highlighted a historical trend in Hamilton’s career: “We`ve also observed a pattern where Lewis often needs to find his `mojo` at the start of a season, but then the latter half of the season has consistently been very strong. So, don`t ever write Lewis Hamilton off.”
Enduring Friendship and Hamilton`s Mercedes Legacy
Hamilton and Wolff forged one of Formula 1`s most iconic and successful team principal-driver partnerships. Over their 12 seasons together, Hamilton secured six of his seven Drivers` Championships, while the team achieved an unprecedented eight consecutive Constructors` Championships. This marks the first season since Wolff joined Mercedes in 2013 that he has not worked directly with Hamilton.
“You always have to miss a person like Lewis Hamilton,” the Austrian commented. “We are still close friends. We gave our word to each other that we would remain close. We compete fiercely on track with the gloves off because we must fight for our respective teams, and that`s our agreed rule. But off track, we spend time together, we travel together, and I certainly don`t want to lose the friend I`ve gained over so many years.”
Wolff underscored the unique longevity of their professional bond: “The longest driver-team relationship, 12 years – you rarely see that in any other sport. And when it comes to vehicle development, he obviously possesses a wealth of experience, having seen it all. Replacing someone of Lewis Hamilton`s stature will always prove difficult.”
Antonelli`s Development: A Look to the Future
With Hamilton`s move, George Russell assumed the senior driver role at Mercedes. The Brackley-based team turned to the future for their second seat, promoting Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli to Formula 1. The 18-year-old has already achieved two notable milestones in his rookie campaign: a maiden pole in the Miami Sprint in May and a first podium finish a fortnight ago at the Canadian Grand Prix, a race won by Russell. Naturally, his debut season has also included some more challenging weekends.
When questioned about the typical timeline for a young driver like Antonelli to reach their peak in F1, Wolff explained: “That dynamic has shifted in recent years, primarily because tire management has become incredibly complex. It`s not just about raw speed – how quickly you can complete a single lap or a race – but about expertly nurturing the tires to drive as fast as possible without sliding or causing them to overheat, which leads to significant lap time loss. This is the main hurdle for young drivers ascending through the ranks.”
Wolff provided a relevant comparison: “A prime example is Piastri, who is currently leading the championship. It took him a year and a half to truly catch up to Lando Norris, and this year marks the first time he`s had an edge over him, which I attribute mostly to tire management.”
He concluded regarding Antonelli: “For Kimi, he`s still unfamiliar with many circuits. Montreal, for instance, was his first time there, so he started with a significant disadvantage. Despite that, the car performed well, and he demonstrated impressive speed. Ultimately, you probably need to envision a three-year program, considering that the necessary time for a young driver to effectively challenge their more experienced, super-fast teammates. George, for example, is currently among the very best drivers in Formula 1. You simply have to give these young talents time.”
Marcus Prine