After twelve successful years, the era of Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton comes to an end. The seven-time world champion will be moving to Ferrari after this season, where he will become Charles Leclerc’s teammate. While Toto Wolff admits that Hamilton’s departure is an emotional moment, he is also looking forward to the future of his team, with the arrival of the young Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
A New Chapter for Hamilton
Hamilton switched to Mercedes in 2013 and has since built an impressive career with the team. With six world titles for the German team, he has become one of the most successful drivers in the history of Formula 1. However, the British driver has decided to take on a new challenge at Ferrari. Hamilton’s departure signifies the end of an era for Wolff and the team, but Wolff emphasizes that Hamilton will always hold a special place within the Mercedes family.
“We have experienced fantastic moments with Lewis over the past twelve years,” says Wolff. “He will forever be connected with our team. But from next season, he will be a competitor, and that changes the dynamics. Of course, we will miss him, both as a person and for his experience, but it is now time to look forward.”
The Arrival of Antonelli
The successor to Hamilton at Mercedes is Andrea Kimi Antonelli, an 18-year-old talented driver from the Mercedes junior training program. Although it is a big step for the young Italian, Wolff has full confidence that Antonelli will give the team a new boost. “Kimi brings freshness and enthusiasm. You can tell that the whole team is excited about the idea of working with such a young talent.”
However, the Austrian acknowledges that Antonelli is facing a challenging season. “He will have to learn a lot and there will certainly be moments when we will miss Lewis’s experience. But ultimately, the collaboration between Mercedes and Lewis is the end of an era and we believe that Kimi is the right choice for the future of Mercedes.”
Hamilton and Ferrari: A Good Match?
The news that Hamilton is moving to Ferrari has led to speculation about how the Brit will adapt to Italian culture. Ferrari is known for its passionate culture and some wonder if Hamilton will be able to find his groove there. However, Wolff is not worried about this. “I hear people say it’s going to be tough for Lewis, but often it turns out better than expected.” Wolff adds that Ferrari, despite the pressure and emotions, is a fantastic team. “They will find their way together. Lewis knows what he’s doing,” says Wolff.
