Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says it would have been clearer if their driver had signed for Red Bull instead of choosing to continue his career at Ferrari.
The seven-time world champion decided to end his long-term caries in the Silver Arrows and head for the team he dreamed of driving for.
Although they signed a two-year extension last year that was supposed to last until the end of 2025, the British driver put a clause in his contract to have the option of going to another team.
However, given that Hamilton and Mercedes are closely related to each other, it was believed that the 39-year-old will finish his career in the team with which he set records in victories, pole positions and equaled the record of seven titles with Michael Schumacher.
However, the Briton decided to activate the clause in his contract and sign a long-term contract with Ferrari. After signing, Hamilton wrote on Instagram that he fulfilled his boyhood dream and moved to the Italian team.
After the sudden announcement, Mecedes found himself in a difficult situation because he has to find an adequate replacement for Hamilton, who will drive another season for the Silver Arrows.
By leaving for Ferrari, Lewis is looking to return to winning ways. He did not see victories for two seasons in a row. Although the German team announces a return to the fight for victories, and therefore titles, Hamilton is probably not happy with some things at Mercedes.
The head of the Silver Arrows was surprised by this decision. He believes that the Briton’s decision would have been clearer if he had gone to the team with whom they were fighting for the title until the final and controversial race in Abu Dhabi in 2021.
“If he had gone to Red Bull, the driving behind him would have been clear. It’s the best package in the short term,” Wolff told Germany’s Motorsport-Total.
The Austrian adds that the 39-year-old may not have seen the effort and energy invested by Mercedes to return, because there are always ups and downs. He claims that he will continue to win titles.
“What may not have been so visible to him is the energy that exists in the team, the desire to do things better,” he explains.
“It’s a matter of trial and error, I have no idea how many more times we will fall, but I know we always come back. If we look back 10 or 20 years, we will have many more World Cups.”
But, of course, that’s a long-term perspective and that’s no longer important for Lewis,” the Mercedes boss concluded.
