Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff insists his long-standing friendship with Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur will remain intact despite Lewis Hamilton’s seismic shift from Brackley to Maranello.
While it’s been reported that Ferrari chairman John Elkann was instrumental in luring Hamilton to the Scuderia, Vasseur, who mentored Hamilton during his 2006 season in GP2 with the Frenchman’s ART outfit, certainly added his weight to the move.
While the seven-time world champion’s shock transfer to Maranello adds another layer to the rivalry between Mercede and Ferrari, it hasn’t extinguished the strong bond shared by the two teams’ respective chiefs.
“I’ve got great respect for Fred, not only as a racing manager but also as a long-time friend,” Wolff said, acknowledging the sport’s “cutthroat” nature.
“When he took the role at Ferrari it was clear that he needed to do the best he can for Ferrari and use the opportunity in order to do that.
“There is no bad feeling towards Fred and trying to get the best employees, the best drivers, so that has no effect on the relationship.
“It is a tough competition, it is a cutthroat environment and as much as I try to do the best for our group, he will do that for Ferrari.”
Last month, Wolff committed to a new three-year contract with Mercedes, a deal in line with the extensions sealed last summer with Hamilton and teammate George Russell.
©Mercedes
In the wake of last week’s bombshell news, Wolff was asked if he would have agreed to a new deal had he known about Hamilton’s future departure.
“No, it wouldn’t have changed that,” he admitted. “I think whatever role in the team, or whatever title they give it, I’m going to be there in the future.
“So it was a no-brainer to continue in an executive role, you can call it CEO, managing director, chairman, or team principal.
“The easiest way was to stick with what we have.
“It wouldn’t have affected me, because I’m so proud of being part of this Mercedes Formula 1 team, that carries this huge legacy of the star and racing history, and we’re going to write more history in the future, as the Mercedes Formula 1 team.
“And that is what I aim to do with everyone in the team, and with everybody in Stuttgart.
“And therefore as much as this journey is so special, we have 10 or 20 more years before I’m being overrun by a bus to have more success.”
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