Toto Wolff has expressed strong support for Lewis Hamilton amid the British driver’s challenging start to his 2025 Formula 1 season with Ferrari. Despite Hamilton’s difficulties in adapting to his new team and failing to reach the podium in the first 10 races, Wolff believes the seven-time world champion can still stage a significant comeback with Ferrari.
Hamilton’s transfer from Mercedes to Ferrari marked a major shift in his career, but the initial results have not matched expectations. Aside from securing pole position and winning the sprint race in China, Hamilton has struggled to match the pace of his teammate Charles Leclerc. Wolff, however, insists that skill does not vanish overnight and sees Hamilton’s current performance as part of a necessary adaptation period.
You don’t unlearn driving that quickly,
Wolff told the Bloomberg Hot Pursuit podcast.
“In 2021 he was great, then the regulations changed, and it got a little bit more difficult, but he was still performing on a very high level. And just by changing teams, suddenly you don’t lose your skills.”
Wolff highlighted the complexities behind adapting to a new car, culture, and engineering team. He emphasized the unique challenge Hamilton faces in joining an all-Italian team as a British driver and noted that early-season struggles are familiar for Hamilton, who typically hits his peak performance later in the year.
“I think everybody needs to have a period of adaption. Different car, different DNA of how that vehicle drives, a new engineering team that you need to start to work together then be involved with the continuous development on the car so it suits your driving style,”
Wolff explained.
“It’s an all-Italian team; he’s a British guy parachuted in there – and that takes time. Also, we have seen a little bit of a pattern that Lewis at the beginning of the season, he needs to find that mojo and then the second half of the season has been always very strong.”
So don’t ever write Lewis Hamilton off.
Reflecting on Wolff and Hamilton’s Enduring Partnership
Hamilton and Wolff share one of the most successful driver-team collaborations in Formula 1 history, spanning 12 years and yielding six drivers’ championships and eight team titles for Mercedes. Their split in 2023 marked the first season in over a decade without the pair working together.
Despite their on-track rivalry since Hamilton’s Ferrari move, the pair remain close off the circuit. Wolff reflected on the strength of their friendship and the challenge of replacing someone with Hamilton’s experience and talent in the sport.
You always have to miss a person like Lewis Hamilton,
Wolff acknowledged.
“We are still close friends. We have given our word to each other that we will stay close friends.”
“We are fighting hard on track with the gloves off because we need to fight for our respective teams and that’s the kind of rule we have. But off track we spend some time with each other, we travel with each other, and I don’t want to miss the friend that I’ve gotten for so many years.”
The longest driver-team relationship, 12 years – you rarely see that in any other sport. And when it comes to developing the car, obviously, he has a lot of experience, he has seen it all and to replace someone like Lewis Hamilton is always going to be difficult.
What Lies Ahead for Hamilton and Ferrari
Hamilton’s early 2025 season challenges with Ferrari underline the difficulties even the most accomplished drivers can face when shifting teams and environments. Wolff’s comments suggest that patience and steady adaptation may be key for Hamilton to reclaim his competitive edge. Given Hamilton’s history of strong second-half seasons, fans and analysts may anticipate a resurgence as the year progresses.
The unfolding rivalry between Hamilton and Leclerc, combined with the battle between Mercedes and Ferrari, will continue to shape the drama of this F1 season. Wolff’s encouragement, coming from Hamilton’s former team principal, offers a hopeful perspective on a comeback that many continue to watch with interest.