Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has confirmed he refused to field questions from Lewis Hamilton about driving his Ferrari at the end-of-season test in Abu Dhabi ahead of the seven-time champion’s switch to the Italian team next year.
After the final round of the season at the Yas Marina Circuit, Formula 1 holds a one-day test where teams can run two cars. One is for testing Pirelli tires with experienced drivers and the other is for young drivers to gain valuable miles. road.
Ferrari allowed Carlos Sainz, whom Hamilton will replace, to drive for his new team Williams in testing, but Wolff admitted it was not willing to give the Briton the same treatment.
“I think it’s different. If he moves to Williams.” Wolff spoke at the Las Vegas Grand Prix team principals’ press conference while sitting next to his Ferrari counterpart Fred Vasseur.
“We have signed deals with sponsors, said goodbye to Lewis and have a lot of activities planned.
“He and I talked about it for a while and he said, ‘I don’t think that’s going to work.’”
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Lewis Hamilton says ‘he didn’t really want to come back’ after disappointing Sao Paulo GP and why he exploded on team radio
“And I said, ‘Okay, I don’t think that’s going to work.’” “That was it, so I don’t think Fred will be particularly sad.”
Vasseur said he “respects” Wolff’s position, citing the difference in circumstances with Sainz being kicked out of Ferrari instead of leaving.
“The thing about Carlos is that we want to thank him for his cooperation and we don’t want to stop him,” Vasseur said.
“I think he has done a very good job with us this season and has been very professional because it would have been easy not to give up and not have that professional attitude.
“And I think the best way to thank Carlos was to give him the opportunity to test with Williams.”
Asked if he was “sad” that Hamilton would not be able to drive for Ferrari in Abu Dhabi, Vasseur added: “No, there is a contract. We have to honor that.”
“Just because we’re doing something for Carlos doesn’t mean everyone has to do the same. As Toto said, I didn’t ask him.”
Wolfe: I thought the timing of Hamilton’s ‘expiration date’ comment was bad.
Wolff also noted that Hamilton had a “shelf life” and noted his relief at the Briton’s decision to leave to avoid having to eliminate the 105-time winner later.
Wolff’s comments are reported in Mercedes’ new All Access Book. Inside the Mercedes F1: Life in the passing laneWe followed the team through a tumultuous 2023 campaign and the start of 2024.
Asked if he should end his relationship with Hamilton after the book was published, Wolff said: “Lewis and I talk, we always have.
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Lewis Hamilton has said he doesn’t feel he needs to prove anything to Toto Wolff in Mercedes’ last few races before switching to Ferrari.
“Especially on a weekend when you’re not happy with your driving or car, the statement makes 1+1 look bad.
“But one rule we established early on in our relationship is that we immediately ask, ‘Why did you say that or what did you mean?’ And that’s what we’ve done.
“That was one sentence in the book, there were 99 sentences in the weekend in Brazil and in some of the interviews I did about Lewis, I clearly mentioned that he is the greatest driver of all time. If he has a fast car, he can win and fight for the title. But we failed to do that.”
‘Hamilton’s idea of leaving the company early is not unusual’
The publication of the book comes just days after Hamilton had a difficult weekend at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. This left the Briton wondering whether he wanted to sit out the final three races with Mercedes.
“I could happily go on holiday,” Hamilton told Sky Sports F1 after suggesting over team radio at the end of the race that it could be his “last” drive for the Silver Arrows.
Mercedes ignored Hamilton’s comments in the days following the race, suggesting his radio comments were directed at team members who will not be working the final three races of the season in Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
But speaking on Wednesday, Hamilton revealed he is now prepared to end his season early.
Wolff said: “As we have all known for many years, Lewis wears his heart on his sleeve and I think the whole race weekend, especially on Sunday, was a very bad experience for him. That was not unusual at all.
“This may have been particularly bad, but I think he and we are holding up really well, working together as a team.
“Obviously with three more races left, he announced at the beginning of the year that he would be moving to Ferrari. I am very proud of what we have achieved to keep our relationship as professional as it is now.”
“But we knew it was never going to be easy and on days like that the car was in bad shape and we didn’t give him as good tools as he should have.”
Live Las Vegas GP schedule on Sky Sports F1
Saturday, November 23
2:15 AM: Las Vegas GP Practice 3*
5am: Preparing for Las Vegas GP qualifying*
6 a.m.: Las Vegas Grand Prix Qualifying*
8 AM: Ted’s Qualifying Note*
Sunday, November 24
4:30 AM: Grand Prix Sunday: Building to the Las Vegas GP*
6 a.m.: Las Vegas Grand Prix*
8 AM: Checkered Flag: Las Vegas GP Reaction*
9:00 AM: Ted’s Note*
*It will also be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 returns this weekend with the Las Vegas Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports F1, where Max Verstappen could take the title. Stream the last three F1 races and more with a NOW Sports Month membership. There is no contract and you can cancel at any time.
