There have been many twists and turns in F1 this year, and the one that has shaken the paddock the most recently is the announcement of the most successful driver of all time departure from Mercedes AMG to Scuderia Ferrari in 2025.
Although this took everyone by surprise, Toto Wolff, the boss of Mercedes AMG, had already known in advance that this news was coming. But how did he find out about the move before anyone else? The story is quite interesting…
Read more:
- The biggest transfer in F1 history is coming—and no, it’s not Hamilton to the Scuderia Ferrari
- With 103 wins to his name, this champion faces the biggest challenge of his career: saving a season with the worst car he’s ever had
Carlos Sainz Sr.’s premonitory call
It all started before the official confirmation of the deal between Hamilton and Ferrari. According to Wolff, it was Carlos Sainz Sr., Carlos Sainz’s father, who played a key role in this revelation. The WRC driver contacted Toto Wolff to warn him that something was brewing at Ferrari. Wolff didn’t immediately understand the full scope of this information but calls and messages started to multiply. When drivers he wasn’t used to hearing from began to contact him, it ultimately confirmed his suspicions.
BREAKING: Lewis Hamilton to join Ferrari in 2025!#F1 @LewisHamilton @ScuderiaFerrari pic.twitter.com/M5QrB5pM8G
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 1, 2024
An unanswered message: the key to the mystery
After receiving the call from Sainz Sr., Wolff tried to reach Fred Vasseur, the head of Scuderia Ferrari, to confirm his doubts. Vasseur’s lack of response was the final clue. Even if someone doesn’t say no, we all know what an unanswered message means… Toto Wolff explained that this was very unusual coming from the Scuderia boss because they were close, and Vasseur had never been one to ignore his messages. For Wolff, this meant that Ferrari was about to finalize a big move. And indeed, this is when he began to believe that Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was in the works.
What’s next for Mercedes AMG F1 Team
A few days later, in a conversation between Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton, the latter finally confirmed the rumor. The Mercedes AMG F1 Team boss admitted that he struggled to imagine Hamilton anywhere other than at Mercedes, but the announcement was still a shock. Hamilton’s departure will leave a major gap in the German team, and young star Kimi Antonelli, a Formula 2 driver, will take his place for the 2025 season alongside George Russell. Wolff is confident, though the expectations will be high for the young driver. Honestly, I too have a difficulties to imagine Hamilton anywhere but Mercedes. He’s been a key figure for the team, helped it grow, and won six titles with them… But we must embrace change positively, and I’m excited to see how his partnership with Charles Leclerc develops.
This article explores the secret story behind Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari, the premonitory call from Carlos Sainz Sr. that alerted Wolff, and how Mercedes is preparing the transition with Kimi Antonelli for 2025.
