Wolff's Heartfelt Farewell to Hamilton: 'Connect with Your Dream Team'
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Abu Dhabi, Dec 9 (NationPress) Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff delivered a heartfelt farewell message to Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion driver who is set to join Ferrari starting in the 2025 season, emphasizing the importance to ‘connect with your dream team’.
Hamilton marked the conclusion of his tenure with Mercedes at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Sunday, finishing in fourth place, just ahead of his teammate George Russell, thus wrapping up an impressive 11-year relationship with the Silver Arrows.
Throughout his 12 seasons with Mercedes, Hamilton participated in 246 races, achieving a remarkable record for the most starts with a single team in Formula 1. During this impressive stint, he recorded 84 wins, claimed 13 additional podium finishes, and secured 78 pole positions. Hamilton also won six of his seven Drivers' Championships while with the team, solidifying his status as one of the sport's all-time greats.
In an audio message shared on Monday, Wolff remarked, “Hi, Lewis. I’m on the go, so I thought I’d better leave your voice note, like all this. Yeah, the moment is here. We all knew what’s coming. We’ve raced the last lap. The longest and most successful partnership in Formula One history.”
Wolff continued, “Who would have thought that when we started the journey? It’s been a crazy ride for a boy from Stephen Edge. We had a dream and we shared this journey at Mercedes. Now, you’re embarking on a new chapter with Ferrari, but it’s crucial to remember one thing: find your people. Not just the ones who work with you or sign your contract. Obviously, we know that’s important. But those who share your dreams, who fight alongside you, who support you and listen to you. The ones who stand with you and kneel with you. The ones who truly see you, including the parts you’d rather keep hidden.”
“People who never stop believing, even when you find it difficult. Because when you connect with your dream team, you don’t just conquer the world; you transform it. And no matter what the future brings, remember, we will always be your people. Because every dream requires a team. You know it. They can be my friends here on track. We’re genuinely looking forward to it. That’s the most significant message I’ve ever sent,” Wolff concluded.
After the race, Hamilton reflected on the iconic call from engineer Pete ‘Bono’ Bonnington, “it’s Hammer Time,” which struck him as a poignant reminder that this was his final race with Mercedes, whose engines have powered him to all 105 of his F1 victories.
“When (Bono) said it was ‘Hammer Time’, I realized in that instant, I was like, ‘that’s the last time I’m going to hear that,’” Hamilton shared. “It really clicked for me at that moment. But it was a challenging race, naturally, given my position on the grid.”
Looking ahead, Hamilton is set to transition to Ferrari to partner with Charles Leclerc in 2025, while 18-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli is expected to step into his role at Mercedes.
