The motorsport world was taken aback when Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was confirmed in early February, concluding a whirlwind saga mere hours after initial whispers surfaced.
This sudden switch has thrust Toto Wolff into swift action in the 2024 driver market, with a significant portion of the grid set to become free agents at the end of the upcoming season, including potential targets Carlos Sainz and Esteban Ocon.
For Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, this development is far from ideal, having recently secured both Hamilton and teammate George Russell to new deals in 2023.
In an interview with sport.de, Red Bull chief Marko hinted that Vasseur’s move to snatch the seven-time world champion might strain his relationship with Wolff.
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However, the Mercedes boss appears unperturbed by such speculation.
Wolff clarified, “I hold Fred in high regard, not only as a racing manager but also as a long-standing friend.
“However, upon his transition to Ferrari, it was evident that his allegiance lies with Ferrari’s interests, striving to secure the best talent for the team.”
He continued, “Thus, there are no ill feelings towards Fred’s pursuit of top-notch employees and drivers. This dynamic does not sour our relationship.
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“Competition in this arena is fierce, and each of us endeavours to bolster our respective teams. While I strive for the best for our group, he does the same for Ferrari.”
Sainz, whose position at Ferrari has been taken over by Hamilton, has not publicly commented on the matter.
However, it is expected that his thoughts on the situation mirror Wolff’s sentiments – acknowledging the competitive nature of Formula 1 and the imperative for teams to secure the strongest talent available.