Toto Wolff reveals Fernando Alonso phone call after Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari…read more
Toto Wolff has shared new insights about the period leading up to Lewis Hamilton’s shock decision to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari. Wolff revealed that in January 2024, he was informed of Hamilton’s plans to make the move, a revelation that threw the team into a period of uncertainty. As the news of Hamilton’s potential departure began circulating, there was no shortage of drivers eager to take his place at Mercedes, including a surprise phone call from none other than Fernando Alonso.
According to Wolff, Alonso reached out to him once it became clear that Hamilton was considering a change of teams. The Spanish driver, who had long been a competitor of Hamilton’s in Formula 1, expressed interest in the possibility of joining Mercedes if Hamilton were to leave. This surprising call came before the news of Hamilton’s official decision to move to Ferrari became public knowledge. Wolff indicated that Alonso’s inquiry was just one of many from top-tier drivers who were keen on securing a seat at one of Formula 1’s most successful teams.
The phone call from Alonso was just one of the many significant moments during a tumultuous period for Mercedes. Wolff described the weeks leading up to Hamilton’s announcement as a time of heightened tension and anticipation, with many drivers eyeing the opportunity to fill Hamilton’s seat. Despite the interest from other drivers, Wolff stated that the decision ultimately came down to Hamilton, who informed him of his plans during a breakfast meeting at Wolff’s home in Austria. It was here that Hamilton first revealed his intention to leave Mercedes and join Ferrari, a move that sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 community.
This unexpected development has shifted the dynamics at Mercedes, leaving the team in need of a new star driver. Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari, which was officially announced on February 1, 2024, has opened up a new chapter in both his career and the future of Mercedes. With Alonso’s call and other drivers expressing interest, Wolff was left to consider the best possible replacement for Hamilton, although the specifics of Mercedes’ driver selection have yet to be revealed.
In the wake of Hamilton’s move, all eyes are now on who will join the Mercedes team for the upcoming Formula 1 season. The departure of one of the sport’s greatest drivers signals the start of a new era, not just for Hamilton, but also for Mercedes and its future in Formula 1.
