Toto Wolff's promise to Lewis Hamilton on Verstappen talks

Dominika Jordan
Mar 7, 2025, 06:15 AM ET

Toto Wolff reveals commitment to Lewis Hamilton over Mercedes talks with Max Verstappen.

In the latest unveiling from the seventh season of Netflix's acclaimed documentary series Drive to Survive, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff disclosed a significant pledge he made to Lewis Hamilton. Wolff confirmed that he refrained from engaging in any discussions with Max Verstappen about a potential move to Mercedes while Hamilton was still with the team.

Hamilton's highly-publicized switch from Mercedes to Ferrari for the 2024 season was officially announced on February 1, 2023. This major shift in the Formula 1 landscape is a focal point in the new season of the docuseries, which is set to release on March 8.

During the series, Wolff is seen conversing with his wife, Susie Wolff, a former Williams test driver and the head of the F1 Academy series, about possible replacements for Hamilton. At one moment, Susie inquires, "You don't think Max is an option?" In response, Wolff reveals the depth of his commitment to Hamilton.

"I think he is," Wolff replied. "I haven't spoken to him because I promised Lewis I wouldn't talk to him but I will have the conversation now."

This decision underscores the respect and professional courtesy within the team, particularly in light of Hamilton and Verstappen's storied rivalry. Their 2021 championship battle is often hailed as one of the greatest seasons in F1 history, marked by intense clashes and controversial moments, including the widely-debated finale where Verstappen bested Hamilton under contentious circumstances.

While Wolff does not detail the timeline of his agreement with Hamilton, the series documents other potential candidates for the vacant seat. Among them was Carlos Sainz, who was ultimately replaced by Hamilton and later moved to Williams. Another name that surfaced in discussions was two-time world champion Fernando Alonso.

"Fernando [Alonso], I mean, race pace, racecraft is still very good," Toto Wolff noted. Susie emphasized the temporal nature of such an appointment, "You're not going to be starting a new era with a long contract with Fernando, it's an interim."

In the end, Mercedes took a bold step by opting for youth, ushering in a new era with the signing of Italian prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The 18-year-old is set to commence his rookie F1 season, representing a significant investment in the future for the Silver Arrows.

As the curtain rises on what promises to be another enthralling chapter of Formula 1, the decisions made by Mercedes and the dynamics chronicled in Drive to Survive will undoubtedly captivate fans worldwide.