Toto Wolff hinted that Mercedes might welcome Lewis Hamilton back once his stint with Ferrari concludes. After 12 seasons and a record 14 combined drivers’ and constructors’ championships, Formula 1’s most successful driver-team partnership has come to an end, with Hamilton deciding before the start of the 2024 season to pursue his future with Ferrari.
Hamilton will make his debut for Ferrari as a 40-year-old, aiming to cap his illustrious career with another championship title for the Scuderia. Although he has signed a multi-year deal, the Briton is now in the end years of his extraordinary Formula 1 journey. During his lengthy tenure with Mercedes, Hamilton forged several significant personal connections, including with team principal Toto Wolff and his wife, Susie Wolff, the managing director of the F1 Academy.
The Austrian remains confident that their strong relationship will endure despite now being on opposing sides. Furthermore, Wolff hinted at the possibility of a new chapter in Hamilton’s connection with Mercedes in the future.
“There is no such thing as an end to the relationship that Mercedes has with Lewis, neither what we as a team have nor what I and Susie personally have. On the contrary. I think Lewis has decided to do something else for the last part of his career, which I understand – or I can understand.
“But he’s always going to be part of that family and always welcome in the family. And one day, maybe when the driving ends, there’s going to be plenty of adventures we’re going to embark on.” Toto Wolff said.
Hamilton’s collaboration with Mercedes extended beyond racing, with the team supporting his efforts to use his platform to promote and advance diversity in motorsport—an initiative that Wolff emphasized remains a key priority for the team.
He added: “[Hamilton is] a global phenomenon, and for sure, he played a role in positioning the Mercedes brand a little bit more edgy, a little bit more contemporary and extravagant. But then [there was] the impact he had on the team in terms of diversity.”
Wolff fully acknowledged Hamilton’s significant impact off the track, particularly his efforts to promote greater diversity in motorsport—an initiative the team remains committed to prioritizing. Britt’s time at Mercedes established him as one of the most successful and influential drivers in F1 history.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
