Toto Wolff surprises with emotional insights into his relationship with Lewis Hamilton – despite his move to Ferrari, the friendship remains intact
What smelled like a dramatic breakup to many turned out to be surprisingly peaceful. When Lewis Hamilton announced at the beginning of last year that he would be leaving Mercedes for Ferrari after the 2024 season, the motorsport drama was practically inevitable. But Toto Wolff, team boss of the Silver Arrows, surprised everyone with a completely different tone.
“It could have been very unpleasant, almost hostile,” the Austrian revealed in an interview with the Wall Street Journal (behind a paywall). “But we talked very openly about how we could avoid that.”
And apparently it worked. Even after his departure, Hamilton continues to be a regular guest at Mercedes. On race weekends, he stops by the team truck, chats with the engineers, and even enjoys the catering.
“He’s still a friend,” says Wolff. “He shows up at our office on weekends, talks to the team, gets something to eat. And after many Grands Prix, we fly back together.” Also on board: George Russell, Valtteri Bottas, Hamilton – and Wolff himself. “Almost like old times,” smiles the team boss.
And yet the sporting situation could hardly be more explosive. After twelve races in the 2025 season, Ferrari and Mercedes are separated by just twelve points in the Constructors’ Championship. Ferrari is currently in second place, Mercedes in third. Nevertheless, Wolff emphasizes that the rivalry does not strain his personal relationship with Hamilton.
“We want to beat him on the track, that’s clear. But we’ve known each other for twelve years now. Trust has grown,” he says. And that’s not all. Away from the asphalt, Wolff and Hamilton apparently also exchange private thoughts – including dating tips.
“I live a little bit through him,” says Wolff. “He shows me his flirts and asks, ‘What do you think, should I go out with her?’ And I say, ‘Yes, go for it – and tell me all about it later!’”
Hamilton is sixth in the drivers’ standings at the halfway point of the season. With 103 points, he is well behind both his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc (119 points) and championship leader Oscar Piastri (234 points). But regardless of their sporting performance, the tone between the former team and the superstar remains surprisingly friendly.
A scenario that is anything but commonplace in Formula 1.
