Toto Wolff has conceded that part of Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes was “bruising”.
Hamilton knowledgeable the Mercedes F1 workforce principal and part-owner forward of this season that it might be their final collectively, earlier than he joins Ferrari in 2025.
This weekend’s F1 British Grand Prix might be Hamilton’s closing time driving for Mercedes at Silverstone, because of this.
Wolff instructed Sky Sports activities’ Martin Brundle in a sit-down interview about a facet of Hamilton’s exit which was significantly difficult.
“What was bruising was that I didn’t have any time to react,” stated Wolff.
“I stated ‘okay, how are we saying this?’
“It was clear that it was leaking from Ferrari.
“If I put myself in his sneakers? He’s within the final part of his profession, the workforce wasn’t doing effectively, all people needs to put on a purple general with a yellow prancing horse. In all probability, the monetary phrases had been additionally optimistic.
“So I can get my head round why he’s doing that. I’ve peace with him, our relationship goes a lot deeper.
“Twelve years now we have been associates and allies, and brothers in crime.
“He might be a competitor within the automotive however we haven’t divorce as associates.
“I didn’t have sufficient time to name our sponsors and shareholders to elucidate what is going on.”
Wolff was requested if Hamilton’s temper has been impacted this season, realizing it’s his final representing Mercedes.
“This yr was actually good, at all times constructive,” Wolff answered. “There have been moments the place he wasn’t glad, however no totally different to the previous two years.”
He was requested if, subsequent yr, he’ll ‘secretly’ want luck to his pal Hamilton.
Wolff stated: “I’d a lot reasonably us successful! That is what we are able to affect.
“I solely want him the very best – however behind us.”
However for now, Wolff and Hamilton remained aligned.
Mercedes are coming into Silverstone after successful final weekend’s F1 Austrian Grand Prix, the house race of Pink Bull.
George Russell’s victory owed a lot to the conflict between Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, nevertheless it nonetheless represents an enormous step ahead for Mercedes who’ve struggled to maintain tempo with Pink Bull for two-and-a-half seasons.
Wolff has vowed to ship one other grand prix victory for Hamilton earlier than his exit.
