Hamilton hasn’t lost his magic, says Toto Wolff
Toto Wolff Backs Lewis Hamilton Amid Ferrari Struggles
MIAMI – Amid mounting questions surrounding Lewis Hamilton’s form since his high-profile switch to Ferrari, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has thrown his weight behind the seven-time Formula 1 world champion, asserting that Hamilton's "magic" remains intact despite a challenging start to the 2025 season.
Hamilton's Slow Start with Ferrari
Hamilton's move from Mercedes to Ferrari brought with it enormous expectations, but the early results have been underwhelming. Across the opening five races of the year, his performances have included finishes of 10th, 7th, 5th, and 7th in Grands Prix — a stark contrast to teammate Charles Leclerc, who delivered Ferrari’s first podium of the season with a third-place finish in Saudi Arabia. However, Hamilton showed flashes of brilliance during a sprint race victory in China, offering glimpses of the driver who claimed six world titles with Mercedes.
Following the latest setback in Jeddah, Hamilton candidly admitted, "If this is how it's going to be for the rest of the year, it's going to be painful."
A Historic Partnership Comes to an End
The British star’s move to Ferrari ended the most formidable driver-team partnership in F1 history, where Hamilton amassed six world titles and 84 Grand Prix wins during his 12-year stint with Mercedes. Unsurprisingly, comparisons to his dominance at Mercedes have fueled speculation about whether age or the pressure of a new team has dulled his form.
Wolff Unwavering in Support for Hamilton
But Wolff has brushed off these concerns, emphasizing that Hamilton’s talent remains as dazzling as ever. “I think we saw that magic in the Sprint Race – was it Shanghai? He was completely dominating that race,” Wolff stated confidently. “It’s not like you have the magic in one race and then suddenly you lose the magic in the next one. I very much believe that it’s still there."
Wolff added, “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. He was with us 12 years — the way of operating. He’s been put in a Ferrari, where his teammate has been [there for] a long time. And his teammate 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.”
The Quest for an Eighth World Title
Hamilton joined Ferrari on a two-year deal this season, citing his move as the fulfillment of a lifelong dream to race in Ferrari red. However, the 38-year-old driver is keenly aware of the stakes, as he pursues what would be a historic eighth world title. Doing so would break the tie he currently shares with Ferrari icon Michael Schumacher, who won five of his championships with the Scuderia.
What Lies Ahead for Hamilton
While Hamilton’s struggles hint at growing pains, Wolff’s assertion underscores the prevailing belief that the British icon has plenty left in the tank. For now, Ferrari fans and F1 observers alike will be watching closely to see if Hamilton can rediscover his winning form and prove his doubters wrong.
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