Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is confident Lewis Hamilton still possesses the `magic` needed for top-level performance, despite a challenging beginning to his time at Ferrari.
After six rounds, Charles Leclerc has generally held the upper hand over Hamilton. However, Hamilton demonstrated improved competitiveness in Miami recently, securing third place in the Sprint race and finishing closely behind his Ferrari teammate, who was eighth in the main race.
In the three Grand Prix weekends preceding Miami, Hamilton appeared perplexed by his inability to surpass Leclerc`s pace in competitive sessions. Following April`s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, the seven-time world champion described the prospect of 2025 as `painful`.
Wolff, who worked with Hamilton as his boss at Mercedes for 12 seasons, stated: “I believe we witnessed that magic during the Shanghai Sprint Race. He completely dominated it.”
He added: “It`s not the case that you possess that skill in one race and then it vanishes in the next. I firmly believe it is still present.”
Wolff is confident that “If he can get all elements of his performance to align and feels comfortable with the car and his surroundings, he will perform exceptionally well. I have absolutely no doubt.”
Despite these initial difficulties, Hamilton remains just 12 points behind Leclerc heading into this weekend`s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola.
Hamilton`s performance deficit compared to Leclerc isn`t confined to a single area, and Wolff thinks his former driver will indeed rediscover his peak form.
Wolff continued: “I`m also not surprised he`s encountering these difficulties. He spent 12 years with us, accustomed to our way of working. Now he`s at Ferrari, where his teammate has been for a considerable time.”
He added: “And his teammate is clearly one of the top drivers. Looking from the outside and having spoken with him, this is a path any new driver joining a top team has to navigate.”
Wolff Still `Great Friends` With Hamilton
Earlier this year, Wolff mentioned feeling like he was keeping track of three drivers during the season-opening Australian Grand Prix – his two Mercedes drivers and Hamilton`s progress.
The Austrian confirmed they still communicate away from the racetrack.
He stated: “Lewis and I remain close friends. I spent a significant amount of time with him, including travelling, and we still see each other.”
He likened their long partnership to “spending 12 consecutive years on vacation with your best friend. Eventually, you might think it`s time to do something different.”
Wolff suggested: “For Lewis, this felt like a need for a refresh, a reinvention. Ferrari is undeniably iconic. He also undoubtedly secured terms that were appealing to him.”
Russell: Difficult to See Hamilton Struggle
Hamilton`s current lack of consistent, strong results echoes a pattern from his final year at Mercedes, where he finished behind teammate George Russell in the championship standings and was significantly outqualified (19-5).
Russell believes some people “underestimate the difficulty of Formula 1” and the challenges of adapting to a new team environment.
Russell commented: “He`s a champion, a winner, and he`s currently in a situation where he cannot achieve that.”
He added: “This isn`t easy to accept. If he were constantly smiling broadly, you might wonder why.”
“I have great respect for him and I like him personally,” Russell said. “It`s unpleasant to witness someone who isn`t finding enjoyment in their work.”
He concluded: “But why *should* he be enjoying it? For him, it`s not about the finances; it`s about achieving results. Things aren`t connecting for him right now, but I`m confident they will at some point.”
