Wolff: Hamilton ‘magic’ still alive, just waiting to shine

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says he remains unshaken in his belief that Lewis Hamilton’s “magic” is alive and well despite his continued struggles to find his footing at Ferrari.

Speaking at last weekend’s Miami Grand Prix, Wolff painted a picture of a driver whose brilliance is merely waiting for the right moment to shine, undeterred by the bumps of adapting to a new team.

The seven-time world champion’s departure from Mercedes at the end of 2024 ended a 12-year partnership that delivered six drivers’ titles and contributed to eight consecutive Constructors’ titles.

His move to Ferrari sent seismic ripples through the Formula 1 paddock, and although the Briton has experienced a mixed bag of results so far, Wolff insisted that that greatness and magic don’t simply vanish – they recalibrate.

“I think we saw that magic in the Sprint race [in Shanghai],” the Austrian explained.

“He was completely dominating that race. It’s not like you have the magic in one race and then suddenly you lose the magic in the next one.

The Magic Hasn’t Disappeared

“I very much believe that it’s still there,” added Wolff.

“If he aligns all his performance contributors and feels he is in the right space and the car is to his liking, he will be stellar. I have no doubt. But I’m also not surprised it has those road bumps.”

Hamilton showcased flashes of brilliance in Shanghai with a dominant Sprint victory, reminding fans and rivals alike of his enduring pedigree.

However, he’s also spoken candidly about his struggle to adapt to Ferrari’s SF-25, an intricate machine that clearly suits his teammate Charles Leclerc – a long-time member of the Scuderia – more comfortably at this early stage.

“He was with us 12 years – the way of operating,” the Mercedes chief continued. “He’s been put in a Ferrari, where his team mate has been [for] a long time, and his team mate clearly is one of the very good ones.

So from the outside, and speaking to him, it’s a trajectory any new driver needs to go through in a top team.”

A New Era at Mercedes

Back at Brackley, the post-Hamilton era is unfolding with promise. George Russell, now in his fourth season with Mercedes, has taken on a senior role, joined by rising star Kimi Antonelli.

The young Italian has impressed with his calm demeanor and steady development, contributing to a strong campaign that sees Mercedes currently second in the Constructors’ standings.

Despite the obvious shift in dynamics following Hamilton’s departure, Wolff dismissed notions of a drastic shift in the garage’s atmosphere.

“No, I wouldn't say so. Lewis was part of the family,” he explained. “As a racing driver, he knew exactly what he wanted and the engineers and mechanics knew him.

“He knew them. We got along. You have good days, bad days, strengths and weaknesses. But when you know someone that well, it's easy to manage that. Now the dynamic is different.

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“George has massively stepped up as a senior driver in the team. Kimi is almost like the young brother that's come in. They work well together, which is very pleasing to see.

“Kimi doesn't stress too much, he's just building up constantly. And on George, you can rely on him when it comes to lap times and racing, so spirits are high.”

As Hamilton continues to write his new chapter at Ferrari, he does so with the backing of a familiar voice from his past.

For Wolff, belief in Hamilton’s talent has never been in question — and if the stars align, he fully expects the Briton to return to his stellar best.

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