Lewis Hamilton purportedly made the decision to depart from Mercedes due to reservations about the effectiveness of their 2024 F1 vehicle.
Toto Wolff vehemently denied any suggestions that Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes was influenced by concerns regarding the performance of their new car, the W15.
Wolff clarified that Hamilton had not even tested the W15 in the simulator before conveying his intention to join Ferrari.
This pivotal conversation occurred a week ago, and the official announcement followed the next day.
Hamilton only had his initial encounter with the virtual rendition of his future Mercedes race car on the subsequent Friday, after his move to Ferrari had been confirmed.
As a result, any misgivings about the car’s performance could not have played a role in his decision to embark on a new journey with another team.
Wolff emphasized the meticulous development process of their cars, which involves extensive scientific analysis and data evaluation.
While the driver’s input is invaluable, it is just one aspect in the decision-making process regarding the car’s development.
“We must not underestimate or overestimate the driver’s influence on car development. Did we miss the mark? No. Every step we take is carefully planned and executed with full awareness,” asserted Wolff.
Confirmation of Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari was made public last Thursday, accompanied by a concise statement from the seven-time world champion.
However, he later provided a more comprehensive explanation of his decision to his devoted fans.
Reflecting on the significant transition, Hamilton shared, “It has been a tumultuous few days, filled with a range of emotions. Lewis Hamilton warned about making Charles #Leclerc his number two.”
“As you are now aware, after an extraordinary 11-year journey with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, I am prepared to embark on a new adventure in my life by joining Scuderia Ferrari in 2025.”
Toto Wolff has dispelled any doubts about the influence of the Mercedes W15’s performance on Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari.
The methodical and data-driven development process of their cars ensures that performance concerns were not a driving factor in Hamilton’s choice to start a new chapter in his racing career.