Toto Wolff’s Old Habits Show in Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Debut
Toto Wolff admitted he instinctively kept an eye on Lewis Hamilton during the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, despite the seven-time world champion no longer driving for Mercedes. It was the first time in 247 races that Hamilton’s “HAM” initials were not next to a Mercedes logo on the timing board, yet Wolff found himself slipping into old habits.
Speaking after the race in Melbourne, Wolff confessed he still felt like he was managing three drivers instead of two. “When I was looking at the screens, at times, I looked at it as if we had three drivers,” Wolff said.
Hamilton’s highly anticipated Ferrari debut did not go as planned, with the British driver finishing in 10th place. Meanwhile, Mercedes had a strong showing, with George Russell securing a podium finish and Kimi Antonelli impressing with a charge from 16th on the grid to finish fourth in his debut race.
For Wolff and Mercedes, it was a positive start to the season, proving that the team remains competitive even without Hamilton. However, the Mercedes boss’ subconscious tracking of Hamilton suggests that their long-standing relationship will take time to fade.
While Hamilton’s Ferrari journey has just begun, the early signs indicate that both he and Mercedes are embarking on exciting yet challenging new chapters.
