Toto Wolff has dismissed any “hangover” effect, or sense of loss at Mercedes caused by Lewis Hamilton’s departure and move to Ferrari.
Instead, the Mercedes boss describes a feeling of "refresh” within the Brackley squad, fueled by the energy of George Russell and rising star Kimi Antonelli.
Wolff's optimism was palpable at a media event this week celebrating Mercedes' exciting new partnership with sportswear giant Adidas.
“It doesn’t get much better in terms of iconic brands [Adidas] in the field of sport,” the Austrian told Sky Sports.
“It’s testament to the trust that this team has going forward. When I discussed Lewis going and Kimi coming with the CEO, he said ‘This is so exciting. Let’s go on the next generation!’
“And this is how we feel in the team. We have a strong vibe with the partners that are with us and want to come to the team, so we don’t feel any hangover.”
While Hamilton’s departure marks the end of a historic chapter at Mercedes, Wolff believes it also represents the beginning of something equally important for both parties.
Speaking about Hamilton’s transition to Ferrari and his own reflections on the change, he remarked:
“It was right for both of us. I think when you see Lewis in his first appearances at Ferrari, this picture in front of Enzo Ferrari’s house, it’s iconic,” Wolff said.
“Lewis with his sense of style, and I’ve told him.”
©Mercedes
He further underscored that this moment of change is a mutual refresh – a reinvention of sorts, not just for Hamilton but for Mercedes as well:
“And at the same time, us embarking on a different route, trying to reinvent ourselves with a young driver - in addition to George, who isn’t mentioned enough,” the Mercedes chief added.
“We have a senior, accomplished driver that has won races, and this new kid coming up. I think it was a refresh for both of us.”
While brimming with enthusiasm, Wolff remained grounded when discussing the team's prospects for the upcoming season.
He acknowledged the complexities of the current generation of F1 cars which Mercedes has struggled to understand and master.
"These cars are so complicated to hit the sweet spot, that we've only done it on a few occasions," he explained.
"We were ultra-dominant in Las Vegas, and then at other tracks, we were unable to contest for a podium.
"So I'd rather not talk too much and see how we can perform in the tests, and see whether we have solved some of those balance issues, get on top of the tyres and then we shall see.
George is ready to fight for the championship, we've got to provide him and Kimi with a car that is fast enough."
Fans won't have to wait long to catch a glimpse of Mercedes' new challenger, the W16. The team is set to unveil their 2025 machine on February 24th in Bahrain.
Will Mercedes usher in a new era of dominance? Only time will tell. But one thing is certain: Toto Wolff and the entire team are heading into the new season with a renewed sense of purpose and a palpable excitement for what lies ahead.
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