“It doesn’t hurt,” Toto Wolff claims he holds no grudge with Lewis Hamilton for shock switch to Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton sealed his move to Ferrari even before the start of the 2024 season. However Toto Wolff claimed that he had no hard feelings over the Britain's decision to leave Mercedes.

“It doesn’t hurt,” Toto Wolff claims he holds no grudge with Lewis Hamilton for shock switch to Ferrari

Toto Wolff (L) and Lewis Hamilton (R) (Via: IMAGO)

Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton confirmed his shock switch to Ferrari for 2025, despite a two-year contract at Brackley. The news came as a shocker to the entire paddock including Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff. The Austrian billionaire shared his opinions over the unwarranted move from the Briton ahead of the commencement of the 2024 season.

Toto Wolff asserted that Hamilton’s unexpected decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari didn’t hurt him. Additionally, Wolff mentioned that he needed keep his calm and manage the entire 2024 season and find a replacement for the 39-year-old. The Briton also has to potentially win the title and avenge the 2021 championship title according to Wolff.

It doesn't hurt, because I need to keep the calm and decide how we're going to best manage the 2024 season and what the decisions need to be going forward.
Wolff said, as reported by skysports.com.
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Wolff explained that the situation wasn’t that someone he liked very much exited the sport entirely, Hamilton was just changing the teams but still would be around the paddock. Following this, the 52-year-old mentioned that he respected the difficulty of the situation that the seven-time world champion was in. However, the principal did not hold any grudges over the matter and was open to discussions in the future over the status quo.

It’s not like someone that I like a lot is disappearing, it’s just changing the team. I will always respect the difficulty of the situation that he faced. In the future, we will discuss whether this could have been done in a different way or not, but I hold no grudge.

Toto Wolff found a friend in Lewis Hamilton over the past decade

Toto Wolff reckoned that he was satisfied with how Hamilton took the decision. Although the timing of the news could’ve been better, the decision was taken in the best interests of the seven-time world champion. The professional aspect between the two may be ending, but the personal relationship that both shared wouldn’t be over by Lewis Hamilton’s switch in teams.

Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff
Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff (Credits: Motorsport.com)

Wolff asserted that he found a friend in Lewis Hamilton over the last ten years of racing together. Additionally, Hamilton took the decision by himself without any brainstorming with the Austrian billionaire. Hence, Wolff accepted that it would’ve been a very difficult decision to take for the Mercedes star.

The Briton dedicates the 2024 season to performing his best and maximizing results in his last season. A potential championship victory isn’t far-fetched for Hamilton as Mercedes has displayed great improvement. The team might finally be able to provide the 39-year-old with a shot at the championship title for his ultimate season in the team.

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