Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has stated that no sympathy is due to Lewis Hamilton despite his Lewis Hamilton Ferrari performance struggles during his debut season with Ferrari. Wolff praised Hamilton as a phenomenal driver and suggested that a reversal of fortune is imminent for the seven-time F1 champion.
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was highly anticipated, but his results this year have fallen short of expectations. His best finishes have been three fourth places in feature races, with no podium appearances so far. The highlight remains his Sprint Race victory in China, where he led from start to finish.
The difficulties for Hamilton intensified following a disappointing Hungarian Grand Prix weekend before the mid-season break, which reportedly affected him mentally, and worsened with a crash at the Dutch Grand Prix after the summer pause, stemming from a driver error.
Speaking to Dutch media, Wolff acknowledged Hamilton’s tough run, emphasizing the driver’s enduring talent:
“No one should ever feel sorry for Lewis Hamilton, because he’s still a ‘monster’ of a driver. He’s just had a few incredibly frustrating moments recently, but that’s been the case with us as well. He needs one or two good weekends. If he succeeds, we’ll see a completely different Lewis Hamilton.”
Hamilton appeared to regain some momentum at the recent Italian Grand Prix, his first home race at Monza as a Ferrari driver. Although he finished a modest sixth, the 40-year-old expressed renewed vigor, fueled by overwhelming support from passionate Ferrari fans, the Tifosi.
Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur praised Hamilton’s race pace at Monza, which surpassed that of teammate Charles Leclerc, and thanked the Tifosi for providing an extra boost to the driver during the weekend.
In contrast, Mercedes endured a disappointing outing. George Russell finished fifth, and young driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli managed ninth, a result Wolff described as underwhelming, reflecting his dissatisfaction with the team’s overall performance.
Understanding Hamilton’s Departure from Mercedes
The split between Hamilton and Mercedes after thirteen years surprised many, especially Toto Wolff, who was caught off guard when Hamilton announced his 2025 move to Ferrari amid a challenging period for his former team. Despite the unexpected nature of Hamilton’s decision, Wolff has publicly recognized the validity of the choice.
“He had every reason to leave for Ferrari, and those reasons are still valid. He needed a change of scenery, and so did we. We were not that competitive, and Ferrari looked better at the time. Every driver wants to drive for Ferrari, and Lewis loves the color red. In addition, he was also offered a very good contract,”
Wolff explained.
Over time, both parties have reconciled their separation, with Wolff becoming a supportive figure for Hamilton during this season. Following the Briton’s self-critical comments after the Hungarian GP, where Hamilton referred to himself as “useless,” the Mercedes Team Principal publicly lauded his former teammate, calling him the all-time great of Formula 1.
The Implications of Hamilton’s Current Season and Future Prospects
Lewis Hamilton’s first year with Ferrari has been marked by struggles and unmet expectations, but both Wolff and Ferrari’s management remain confident in his capabilities. The renewed energy Hamilton displayed at Monza, coupled with strong backing from Ferrari’s fan base, hints at a potential uplift in his performance as the season progresses.
Meanwhile, Wolff faces pressure to improve Mercedes’ results, especially with young drivers like Kimi Antonelli still finding their footing. The varying fortunes of Hamilton and Mercedes reflect the evolving dynamics within Formula 1 as leading figures adapt to changing teams and competition.
As the season continues, observers will watch closely to see if Hamilton can convert his flashes of brilliance into consistent results with Ferrari and whether this change in scenery will finally lead to a resurgence for the seven-time champion.
