Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has vowed that it will return to winning ways in Formula 1 in Lewis Hamilton’s absence after he opted to close a move to Ferrari next year.
The Hamilton and Mercedes dynamic has been the most successful driver-team partnership in F1 history, with the Briton amassing six titles, 82 wins, 148 podiums and 78 pole positions since joining in 2013.
While Wolff admits Mercedes is aiming to end on a high with Hamilton in 2024, he is optimistic the team will continue to thrive without the seven-time champion’s presence.
“At the end of the day, he is the most successful driver and we’ve had a sensational spell and journey together, and that’s something that will go down in the history books and also in the Mercedes history books,” Wolff told media, including Motorsport Week, on Friday morning.
“But we’re the Mercedes Formula 1 team. We’re the best car brand in the world, a team with legacy and we want to finish this on a high in terms of his career but I can promise you we will build another phase of success; more victories, more World Championships in the years to come, and we will be looking back at this very, very good time with Lewis in the Mercedes.”
Wolff, who arrived at Mercedes at the same time as Hamilton, revealed last month that he would be extending his tenure as team boss for a further three years through 2026.
The Austrian has denied the notion that he wouldn’t have agreed to remain at the helm if he had been aware that Hamilton was considering abandoning the Brackley squad.
When asked if Hamilton’s exit would have impacted his plans, Wolff retorted: “No, it wouldn’t have changed that. I think whatever role in the team, or whatever title they give it, I’m going to be there in the future.
“So it was a no-brainer to continue in an executive role, you can call it CEO, managing director, chairman, or team principal. The easiest way was to stick with what we have.
“It wouldn’t have affected me, because I’m so proud of being part of this Mercedes Formula 1 team, that carries this huge legacy of the star and racing history, and we’re going to write more history in the future, as the Mercedes Formula 1 team. And that is what I aim to do with everyone in the team, and with everybody in Stuttgart.
“And therefore as much as this journey is so special, we have 10 or 20 more years before I’m being overrun by a bus to have more success.”
Hamilton has not been in contention to achieve an eighth Drivers’ Championship over the past two years amid Mercedes’ struggles under the latest regulation cycle.
He had been on the verge of clinching that record feat in 2021 when the then FIA race director Michael Masi contravened the restart regulations under a late Safety Car period at the final round in Abu Dhabi, allowing Max Verstappen to seize the crown.
Mercedes is pursuing a revamped concept on its W15 challenger as it bids to provide a stronger challenge to Red Bull, who stormed to victory in all but one race last season.
However, Wolff concedes that the “odds are against us” when it comes to the chances of providing Hamilton with a title-contending car in his final campaign with Mercedes.
“Thank you for reminding me about 2021 being the last time we were really good,” he remarked. “We have a year to go [with Hamilton]. We have 2024 together. We want to make it the most successful we can.
“Is it realistic that we are competing for a World Championship against Max in a Red Bull? If I am a probability person, the odds are against us but nevertheless we will give it our best shot.
“When we talked about giving it all for an eighth [title] that is Lewis and a Mercedes. Lewis in a different car is a totally different story.
“We will be giving it everything we have to win Driver and Constructor Championship with the years to come in the same way we want to win it in 2024 but maybe with another driver.
“But it doesn’t take anything away from the historic legacy that will always exist, this journey together will be in the history books as much as the next journey of a Mercedes will hopefully be.”
