Lewis Hamilton WARNED by Toto Wolff as Brit turns from…read more
Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, has warned Lewis Hamilton that his former team will remain a formidable rival, even after Hamilton’s anticipated move to Ferrari at the end of the 2024 season. Hamilton’s decision to switch to Ferrari came early in 2024, as Mercedes faced a tough start to the year, which initially seemed to justify his move. The Silver Arrows struggled to secure a podium finish until the ninth race of the season, marking a frustrating delay for a team that had been so dominant in previous years.
However, Mercedes has since made significant strides, claiming three victories before the summer break and proving themselves as a competitive force once again. With this momentum, Wolff is confident that Mercedes will continue to challenge teams like Red Bull and McLaren for race wins in 2025. Despite the new regulations for 2026 looming on the horizon, Wolff has no plans to shift the team’s focus entirely to the future just yet.
In a recent conversation with Autosport, Wolff addressed the challenge of balancing short-term and long-term goals, referencing a philosophy famously attributed to F1 legend Niki Lauda. When Lauda was asked whether to prioritize immediate success or long-term plans, he replied, “Both.” Wolff echoed this sentiment, explaining that while Mercedes would start preparing for the 2026 regulations slightly earlier than usual, they would not disrupt their current competitive form. “Nobody’s going to switch the machines off in January unless you’re really nowhere,” he said, underscoring that Mercedes is still in the fight for podiums and victories.
Looking ahead to 2026, the season promises to be pivotal with new regulations in place, and many in the F1 paddock expect Mercedes to remain a powerful force. Their success in the turbo-hybrid era was largely driven by their engine development, and early feedback suggests their 2026 power unit could be even more impressive. Williams team principal James Vowles has praised Mercedes’ ongoing engine development, predicting that the differences between power units in 2026 will be more significant than today, though not as extreme as the changes seen in 2014. He noted that Mercedes’ work on their future engine package could put them ahead of their rivals once again.
Given these developments, Hamilton’s move to Ferrari could create an intriguing scenario, as Mercedes seems poised to remain one of his toughest competitors in the future.
