Toto Wolff has vehemently dismissed any claims that Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes was influenced by concerns about the performance of their new car, the W15.
Wolff clarified that Hamilton had not even experienced the W15 in the simulator before communicating his decision to join Ferrari.
This pivotal conversation occurred a week ago, with the official announcement following the next day.
Hamilton only had his first encounter with the virtual version of his future Mercedes race car on the subsequent Friday, after his move to Ferrari had been finalized.
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Consequently, any apprehensions about the car’s performance could not have played a role in his choice to embark on a new journey with another team.
Wolff emphasized the meticulous development process of their cars, involving extensive scientific analysis and data evaluation.
While the driver’s input is invaluable, it is merely one element in the decision-making process regarding the car’s development.
“We mustn’t underestimate or overestimate the influence of the driver on car development. Did we miss the mark? No.
Every step we take is meticulously planned and executed with full awareness,” asserted Wolff.
Confirmation of Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was made public last Thursday, accompanied by a brief statement from the seven-time world champion.
However, he later provided a more comprehensive explanation of his decision to his devoted fans.
Reflecting on the significant transition, Hamilton shared, “It’s been an eventful few days, filled with a spectrum of emotions.
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“As you now know, after an extraordinary 11-year journey with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, I am ready to embark on a new adventure in my life by joining Scuderia Ferrari in 2025.”
Toto Wolff has dispelled any doubts about the influence of the Mercedes W15’s performance on Lewis Hamilton’s decision to join Ferrari.
The meticulous and data-driven development process of their cars ensures that performance concerns were not a driving factor in Hamilton’s choice to start a new chapter in his racing career.