Mercedes team director Toto Wolff has “undoubtedly” Lewis Hamilton still has “magic” to perform at a high level after a difficult start of life in Ferrari.
Hamilton was mainly exceeded by Charles Leclerc after six rounds, but was more competitive last weekend in Miami, ending the third in Sprint and in his friend of the Ferrari teammate in the main race, though at eight.
The three weekends of the race before this saw Hamilton lost to response as he was unable to defeat Leclerc in competitive sessions, and the seven -time champion said after April Saudi Prix Grand Prix would be a “painful” 2025.
“I think we saw that magic in the Sprint race in Shanghai. He was completely prevailing that race,” said Wolff, who spent 12 seasons as Hamilton’s boss in Mercedes.
“It’s not like having magic in one race and then you suddenly lose magic in another. I believe it is still there.
“If he lists all his performance contributors and thinks he is in the right space and the car is at his liking, he will be stellar. I have no doubt.”
Despite his fighting, Hamilton is only 12 points behind Leclerc ahead of this weekend Emilia Romagna in Imola.
Hamilton’s rhythm deficit for Leclerc has not been in a separate area, and Wolff thinks his ex -driver will rediscover his best shape.
“I am also not surprised that he has those road bumps. He was with 12 years – the way he operates. He entered a Ferrari, where his teammate has been a long time,” Wolff continued.
“And his teammate is clearly one of the very good ones. So from the outside and talking to him is a trajectory that every new driver has to switch to a high team.”
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Lewis Hamilton sends Jabs to Ferrari on Team Radio During Miami Grand Prix
Wolff still ‘brilliant friends’ with Hamilton
Earlier this year, Wolff said he felt like he had three drivers as he watched Hamilton’s progress at the Australian Grand Prix opened the season, as well as his two Mercedes drivers.
Germany confirmed that he still talks to Hamilton away from the rider.
“We are still great friends with Lewis. I spent a lot of time with him, traveling, and I’m still seeing him,” he said.
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Sports superstars including Lewis Hamilton, Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Simone Biles participate in the Met Gala 2025 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
“It came to a point last year where you know, it’s like spending 12 years on vacation with your best friend. At a certain stage you say, well, maybe do something else this time.
“And for Lewis, he needed a refreshing, a comeback. Ferrari is an iconic, no doubt about it. Of course he also received terms that were interesting to him.”
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New footage of a healthy exchange between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after the team orders the Miami Prix dispute
Russell: Not good to see Hamilton’s fighting
Hamilton’s lack of sustained and strong results is a continuation of his last year in Mercedes, where he ended up after teammate George Russell in the championship and exceeded 19-5.
Russell thinks people have “underestimated how difficult Formula 1” and how difficult it is to adapt to a new team.
“He’s a champion. He’s a winner and is in a position where he can’t reach it,” Russell said.
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Speaking at Podcast F1 Show, former strategy engineer Aston Martin Bernie Collins explains why Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc found the Ferrari race strategy irritating in Miami Grand Prix
“And it is not easy to accept. If he was falling with a big smile, you would ask why he was radiating with a big smile.
“I have a lot of respect for her and I like it personally. It’s not good to see someone who is not enjoying it.
“But why should he enjoy it? Because it’s not about money, it’s about the results. And it’s not clicking about it at the moment, but I’m sure he will click on a point.”
EMILIA ROMAGNA GP SKY SPORTS F1 program
Thursday 15 May
02:00: Driver’s press conference
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Check out some of the most dramatic moments that have happened at the Grand Prix Emilia Romagna
Friday May 16th
8.50AM: Practice F3
10:00: Practice F2
12:00: Emilia Romagna GP practice (Session starts at 12.30pm)
02:00: F3 Qualification
2.55 Afternoon: F2 Qualification
3:40 PM: Emilia Romagna Gp Practice Two (The session starts at 4pm)
5.15 Afternoon: Fust F1
Saturday May 17th
9:00: F3 Sprint
11:15 AM: Emilia Romagna Gp Practice Three (Session starts at 11.30am)
1.10 Afternoon: F2 Sprint
2.10 Afternoon: Emilia Romagna GP Construction Qualification
03:00: Emilia Romagna GP Qualification*
5 Afternoon: TED qualifying notebook
Sunday 18 May
7.25AM: F3 Characteristics Race
8.55 morning: Characteristics competition F2
12:30 PM: Grand Prix Sunday: GP Construction Emilia Romagna GP
02:00: Grand Prix Emilia Romagna
4 Afternoon: Control Flag: Emilia Romagna reaction GP
5 Afternoon: TED notebook
*Also live in Sky Sports Main event
The European F1 season begins with Grand Prix Emilia Romagna this weekend, live at Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with now – without contract, cancel at any time
