Lewis Hamilton played the cards of his Ferrari move extremely close to his chest. It was only after the Scuderia announced Hamilton’s contract publically that Mercedes got to know about it. However, it still didn’t catch the Brackley squad off guard. Toto Wolff himself heard about this move from Lewis just a day before the official announcement as they were having breakfast at Wolff’s house. But what surprised him was not the move itself, but the timing of it. Yet, Toto Wolff respects the 7-time champion’s decision to start a new chapter in his career.

The reason why Toto wasn’t surprised with the move was the build-up that happened prior to it. You see, despite Hamilton signing an extension with Mercedes just five months earlier, the deal included a break clause after the 2024 season, indicating that the decade-old partnership was probably on its last leg. Couple that with Mercedes’ sub-par machinery in the last 2 seasons and the move doesn’t look that shocking at all.

Toto Wolff believes Lewis Hamilton was being practical and looking out for himself

On Friday, February 2nd, a day after the announcement Wolff clarified during a virtual media briefing that Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari was based on his desire for a new challenge and a different environment. He explained that Mercedes opted for a short-term contract with Hamilton to keep their options open in the driver market, hinting at an interest in other drivers like Lando Norris and Charles Leclerc.

Wolff also acknowledged that Ferrari’s offer, which extends till the end of 2026, would have been more attractive for Lewis Hamilton. Despite his departure marking the end of their professional journey together, Wolff emphasized that their personal relationship remains intact. He expressed respect for Hamilton’s difficult decision and stated that they will continue to discuss their experiences and whether things could have been handled differently in the future.

In a recent appearance on the F1: Chequered Flag podcast, Wolff was asked how he sees Lewis Hamilton when it comes to making such big decisions about his life and career. In response, Wolff said, “Lewis is very pragmatic, I think he is able to look at the situation, say what’s in it for me, what’s the pros what’s the cons and I think in that case, he came to the conclusion that it may be beneficial for him to do such a move.”

It wasn’t just Toto either, Lewis didn’t even tell his parents about his decision to leave Mercedes.

The Hamiltons got to know about the Ferrari move with the rest of the world

Hamilton has lately been uncertain about his future in racing. At the end of last year, he spoke about taking a sabbatical and then deciding whether he wanted to come back or not. During the podcast, Hamilton revealed that he kept his decision a secret even from his parents until the day of the announcement. “I didn’t speak to anybody. I didn’t tell my parents till the day of it being announced. So, no one knew.“

He emphasized that he made this decision primarily for himself, wanting to ensure it was the best choice for his career. In his defense of keeping things a secret, he mentioned that the opportunity arose suddenly, leaving him with little time to contemplate. He had to rely on his intuition to make the right choice for his future.

READ MORE: “I’ll Always Be a Mercedes Fan”: Lewis Hamilton Gives Emotional Tribute to Toto Wolff & Co.

Do you believe Ferrari and Hamilton can help each other achieve the championship that they both have been waiting for? Share your insights in the comments down below.