'It was right...' - Toto Wolff breaks silence on Lewis Hamilton joining Ferrari

Toto Wolff thinks Mercedes has a chance to "reinvent ourselves" in the 2025 season as a result of Lewis Hamilton leaving for Ferrari and Kimi Antonelli replacing him. After ending a very successful 12-year partnership with Mercedes over the winter, Hamilton recently began working at Ferrari, which includes meetings, factory tours, simulator work, and test drives.

Lewis Hamilton won six F1 championship with Mercedes and become legend of F1. From this year Lewis Hamilton will be seen in red and will have new driving partner at Ferrari. In anticipation of the 2025 season opener in Australia on March 16, Hamilton, who stunned the sports world by announcing his switch to Ferrari last February, finally joined the Italian team last month. He has been testing their 2023 and 2024 vehicles.

Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff referred to the situation as a "refresh" for Hamilton and his squad in remarks made in the lead-up to the new season. "It was right for both of us," Wolff told Sky Sports as he reflected on Hamilton's exit after 12 years and six drivers' titles with the team. I think when you see Lewis in his first appearance at Ferrari, this picture in front of Enzo Ferrari's house, it's iconic. Lewis with his sense of style, and I've told him. Lewis doing something on his own, something new, I think it was a refresh for both of us."

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, an 18-year-old Italian, has replaced Hamilton as George Russell's teammate at Mercedes. The team kicked off the season with a media event on Wednesday to promote their new collaboration with German apparel giant Adidas. This means that 26-year-old incumbent George Russell is now Mercedes' most seasoned driver, with 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli, an F4 and Formula Regional champion as well as an F2 race winner, joining him. 

Mercedes to reveal F1 car at The O2 event

In addition, Wolff spoke briefly about Mercedes' chances this year. “I think this year could be the same again that three, four, five teams are really close to each other, fighting, which is good news for the sport. At the same time, balancing development for next year – it’s going to be quite interesting how the priorities are set.”

The team had another mixed 2024 season, with four Grand Prix victories at its peak and more perplexing weekends as they attempted to get the most out of their package. The world will see Mercedes' 2025 challenger on February 24, just a few days after the car's livery was shown at the first F1 season launch event at London's The O2.