Toto Wolff has clarified his earlier remarks about Lewis Hamilton, addressing comments that seemed to imply the seven-time world champion was nearing his "expiration date."
The Mercedes team boss had suggested that 39-year-old Hamilton's move to Ferrari for 2025 worked out well for Mercedes, saying, "There is a reason why we only signed a one-plus-one-year contract. We are in a sport where cognitive skills are extremely important, and I think everyone has an expiration date."
Following backlash, Wolff later explained that his remarks had been "taken out of context a little bit."
Despite his clarification, Wolff admitted Hamilton's departure made the decision to bring in 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli an easier transition for the team.
According to Wolff, whispers of Hamilton's Ferrari switch began circulating long before the 2024 season. "Carlos Sainz's father initially told me that 'something is cooking' between Lewis and Ferrari," Wolff revealed to The Guardian. "That same afternoon, I received calls from a few other drivers close to Charles Leclerc. Fernando Alonso too. I said to Susie, 'This is happening without us officially knowing.'"
Hamilton's move saved Wolff from a potentially painful conversation about parting ways due to the British driver's age and performance decline.
"I would have done it," Wolff admitted, "but that would have been a real horror for me and for him."
Meanwhile, speculation suggests part of Hamilton's Ferrari deal involves on-car sponsorship for his non-alcoholic drink brand, Almave, although this has not been confirmed.
