‘I Promised Lewis…’: Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff Reveals His Assurance To Hamilton After Brit’s Departure Last Year | Sports News
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The Mercedes Chief discussed Hamilton’s exit with his wife and F1 Academy chief executive, Susie, as he stated that he promised the 40-year-old British racer he wouldn’t hold talks with Max Verstappen to fill the vacancy left by the seven-time F1 Champion.
Toto Wolff. (X)
The CEO of Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team, Toto Wolff has revealed his promise to Lewis Hamilton after the seven-time World Champion’s departure last year. New footage from the Netflix Formula 1: Drive to Survive program has suggested Hamilton didn’t want his seat at Mercedes to be filled by 2021 title rival Max Verstappen. In the show’s seventh season, the Mercedes Chief discussed Hamilton’s exit with his wife and F1 Academy chief executive, Susie Wolff. Toto then claimed he promised the 40-year-old British racer he wouldn’t hold talks with Verstappen. “I haven’t talked to him [Max Verstappen] because I promised Lewis I wouldn’t talk to him – but I will have the conversation now,” he said, as per multiple outlets.
Before the 2024 season began, Hamilton decided it would be his last year with the Silver Arrows. He informed Wolff of his decision before signing a new deal with the Italian carmaker Ferrari. The news was made public a few days later. With Hamilton’s departure, Toto was left with the unenviable task of finding a replacement for the most successful Formula 1 driver in history.
In the same Netflix show, Toto and Susie had a conversation about who the team should choose to race alongside George Russell in 2025 and beyond. While they promoted teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the show revealed Wolff considered more experienced options first. He had eyes on two-time champion Fernando Alonso and Spanish star Carlos Sainz. “So Carlos is somebody to look at, he’s had some really good performances, Fernando, I mean, race pace, racecraft is still very good,” he said on the show.
Susie then reminded the Mercedes CEO how age would be a major factor when considering Alonso as Hamilton’s replacement. “You’re not going to start a new era with a long contract with Fernando, it’s an interim,” she said.
Susie later asked if Verstappen could be an option for them but realised how winning so many titles in recent years would motivate the Dutch-Belgian racer to continue at Red Bull.
Early last year, Toto attempted to publicly woo Verstappen at the height of a civil war that engulfed Red Bull. Things eventually calmed down with the multi-time World Champion winning seven of the first 10 races in 2024. Toto, however, has made it clear he will remain in contact with Verstappen’s father for a potential move. Mercedes would likely face stiff competition from Aston Martin to acquire the Red Bull racer’s services.
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