Wolff voices support for Hamilton's Ferrari future: If Merc can't win, we'll cheer for Hamilton

Mercedes bids farewell to Hamilton, ready to support in Ferrari red

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has shown unwavering support for Lewis Hamilton, even as the seven-time world champion prepares to switch allegiances to Ferrari for the upcoming season. In a surprising but heartfelt declaration, Wolff confirmed that Mercedes would celebrate Hamilton claiming his eighth world title with Ferrari, provided it does not compromise Mercedes' own quest for glory.

Reflecting on their final race together at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Wolff assured Hamilton over the team radio, "If we can't win, you should win." This marked the end of an illustrious 12-year collaboration wherein Hamilton collected six of his seven world titles and celebrated 84 victories out of his total 105 race wins.

As Hamilton prepares to join Ferrari alongside Charles Leclerc, Mercedes welcomes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli into its ranks. Wolff candidly stated, "We will be competitors [next year] and I said if we can't win, we will cheer for him and an eighth championship. But obviously the team [Mercedes], the drivers, the brand—that is the main priority to win, and we're going to give it everything we have."

Hamilton showcased a champion's resilience in his farewell race for Mercedes, driving from a challenging 16th on the grid to finish fourth. His determined comeback was largely due to a strategic gamble that saw him overtake teammate George Russell, who had started sixth, during the last lap. An unfortunate incident during qualifying, where a loose bollard from Kevin Magnussen's Haas car obstructed Hamilton's run, was partly blamed for his poor starting position.

Wolff remains optimistic that Hamilton could have contended for victory had circumstances been different. “I always try to be analytical and if the bollard hadn't been in our way yesterday then we could have fought for victory," he reflected. Despite the setback, Wolff praised Hamilton's performance, remarking, "He drove like a world champion today from P16."

Looking towards next season, Wolff emphasized the intent to maintain a strong relationship with Hamilton despite the latter’s move to Ferrari. "We said we're going to work hard at maintaining the relationship," he confirmed. The competition will remain intense, but Wolff and Hamilton plan to continue their friendly rivalry off the track, enjoying sports and cycling together.

Hamilton will soon embark on a global tour, visiting key locations tied to Mercedes, including their title sponsor, Petronas, in Kuala Lumpur, and Mercedes-Benz's headquarters in Stuttgart. This series of visits promises to be a celebration of the remarkable partnership and achievements Hamilton enjoyed at Mercedes.

As the racing world awaits Hamilton's new chapter with Ferrari, Mercedes gears up for a fresh start with Antonelli, both sides driven by the relentless pursuit of excellence.

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