Toto Wolff has bid Lewis Hamilton a heartfelt final farewell with what the Mercedes team principal called the most important message he has ever sent, as Hamilton prepares to join Ferrari next season.
Hamilton delivered a superb comeback drive at the season finale in Abu Dhabi on Sunday, after which he admitted his last race for Mercedes had been an emotional affair. The team are continuing to hold a week of celebrations for their driver and he will attend their bases in Brackley and Brixworth this week to say goodbye in person as they part ways after 12 years of unprecedented success.
Wolff joined Mercedes in 2013, the same year as Hamilton. The 39‑year‑old driver went on to take six titles with the team, who also secured eight constructors’ titles in their time together. The pair have become close friends and share values with Wolff wholeheartedly embracing Hamilton’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, in a partnership of unusual longevity and warm camaraderie.
Clearly it has had a major impact on Wolff, as demonstrated on Monday when Mercedes released the voice message he sent to Hamilton after Abu Dhabi. “The moment is here we all knew was coming,” he said in the recording. “We’ve raced the last lap. The longest and most successful partnership in Formula One history. Who would have thought that when we started the journey?
“So now, you’re opening up a new chapter with Ferrari. But most importantly, remember one thing, find your people, not just the ones who work with you or sign your contract.
“Obviously, we know that’s important, but the ones who dream with you, who fight with you, who have your back and your ear, the ones who stand with you and kneel with you, the ones who see you, including the parts you don’t want seen, who never stop believing, even when you do sometimes.”
On Sunday, Hamilton had referred to his move to Mercedes from McLaren in 2013. “What started out as a leap of faith turned into a journey into the history books,” he said.
Wolff, too, stressed the special bond they had formed in making that history. “Because when you find your people, you don’t just beat the world, you change it,” he said. “Whatever the future holds, just remember, we will always be your people, because every dream needs a team. You know it.
“Take care, my friend, see you on track. We are really looking forward to it. That’s the most important message I’ve ever sent.”
After the race in Abu Dhabi the FIA confirmed the punishment Max Verstappen will have to undertake for swearing in a press conference at the Singapore GP. He will be expected to work with young drivers while attending the FIA awards ceremony in Kigali, Rwanda on Friday.
Verstappen was penalised with community service, responding by dismissing the FIA’s stance as “silly” and threatening to leave Formula One because of his dissatisfaction with how the governing body is running the sport.
He demonstrated his discontent afterwards by giving all but monosyllabic answers in the subsequent press conferences in Singapore and then speaking extensively to the media outside. The Grand Prix Drivers’ Association has since castigated the FIA, demanding they be treated like adults in an open letter to which the governing body has yet to give a formal response.
Verstappen will attend the ceremony to receive the trophy for his fourth consecutive world championship. While there he will be expected to work with junior competitors in a grassroots development programme organised by the Rwanda Automobile Club using an FIA affordable cross car.
