Toto Wolff has revealed that Lewis Hamilton didn't beat around the bush in telling him of his plans to quit Mercedes for Ferrari for the 2025 season.
The F1 world has been rocked this week after news broke that the British racing superstar would be leaving Mercedes to join Ferrari at the end of the year.
It's arguably one of the biggest shocks in F1 history considering Hamilton's lifetime association with Mercedes.
The 39-year-old had repeatedly stated that he wanted to end his career with the Silver Arrows.
Toto Wolff holds no grudge to Lewis Hamilton
PA
And he seemingly put to bed rumours that he could leave at the end of last season when he penned a new two-year contract.
But it emerged that Hamilton had a release clause in that deal for the end of the 2024 season and Hamilton has opted to activate it and make the shock switch to Ferrari.
Wolff held a brief meeting via zoom with the Mercedes staff at Brackley to inform them of Hamilton's decision before it was officially announced on Thursday.
And the Mercedes team principal has revealed how Hamilton originally told him of his desire to leave for Ferrari face-to-face.
“We got together for coffee at my place in Oxford,” Wolff said.
“Basically he was returning to the factory [after his winter break]. And he said to me that he has decided to race for Ferrari in 2025. And that was basically it.
“We had a good hour of conversation and this is where we are. We are big boys.
“We knew that by signing a short-term contract it could be of benefit for both parties.
Lewis Hamilton will drive one more year with Mercedes
PA
“We couldn’t commit for a longer period. And he has taken the option to exit.
“Now, having slept a few nights on it, it means that our professional journey comes to an end.
“But it doesn’t mean that our personal relationship ends. We’ve built a relationship over the last 10 years.
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Lewis Hamilton will drive alongside Charles Leclerc
PA
“He faced a very, very difficult decision, maybe for the first time for 10 years without being able to brainstorm with me.
“In the future we will discuss whether this could have been done differently or not. But I hold no grudge.”
Hamilton will drive alongside Charles Leclerc at Ferrari from the 2025 season with Carlos Sainz leaving.
