Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff shared surprising insights into his close continued friendship with Lewis Hamilton, who left the Silver Arrows squad at the end of 2024 to join arch-rivals Ferrari.
In a candid interview published this week by The Wall Street Journal, Wolff explained how the dynamic between Hamilton and himself has remained remarkably warm, even despite the competitive nature of Formula 1.
Rather than descending into the bitterness that has often defined driver-team breakups in the sport, Wolff says the bond has remained intact – even deepening in surprising ways.
“When he decided to go, it could have been very awkward, borderline hostile, and we actively talked about how to not make it that,” Wolff admitted.
“All of us made a real effort in trying to be very accommodating, very understanding.”
This deliberate effort to avoid tension in itself underscores the depth of their connection, built over 12 years of collaboration that saw Hamilton win six of his seven world championships with Mercedes.
©Mercedes
“He’s maintained being a friend,” the Austrian added. “He pops up in the office on the weekend! He speaks with the engineers, gets some food.
“After many Grand Prix, he travels back with me. So we have the old gang: Valtteri Bottas, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and me flying from the races.”
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In the hyper-competitive world of Formula 1, such post-exit camaraderie is far from the norm.
“It’s very unusual in any kind of relationship,” he confirmed. “But I tried to be very open and, and say, Listen, on the racetrack, we want to beat you. No doubt about that. But it’s been 12 years that we have been in this relationship.”
From Race Wins to… Relationship Advice!
Wolff went even further, describing a deep personal trust that extends well beyond racing matters.
“We trust each other,” he said. “I’m living a different life through his eyes – you know, he shows me his flirts and who he dates, and [asks], Should I go for this girl or not? And I’m saying, Yes, you should, and tell me how it was!”
Wolff’s surprising remarks highlight just how rare and enduring the Hamilton-Mercedes relationship has been. While both are now focused on defeating one another on track, their off-track bond appears not only intact, but thriving.
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