Hamilton’s revelation of his departure from Mercedes for a long-term stint with rival team Ferrari starting in 2025 sparked a flurry of activity in the driver market.
Though the news broke in early February, it’s believed Hamilton chose to leave before getting a chance to experience the W15 in the simulator.
The reasons behind the seven-time world champion’s dramatic shift to Ferrari remain unshared by him.
Mercedes’ team leader, Wolff, has fielded numerous inquiries about Hamilton’s decision, including a notable one from Sky F1’s Ted Kravitz during the initial day of pre-season testing in Bahrain.
Wolff commented, “I think he’s taken his decision over the winter to join Ferrari and there’s benefits of keeping it to yourself and then deciding maybe at a later stage,” further acknowledging, “But then also if you have set your mind and you are sailing, that’s ok.”
When asked whether he believed the W15 could be a contender for victories or even the championship, Wolff responded with caution, stating, “Can’t say.”
He acknowledged the formidable challenge ahead, emphasizing the difficulty of catching up to Red Bull’s impressive performance under the new regulations. “We know we have a big mountain to climb. When you have a car out of the blocks like Red Bull have with these new regulations, catching them up is very, very difficult. We can’t really see yet a picture of performance.”
The Mercedes team’s W15, notable for its distinct front wing design, has sparked curiosity among competitors in the paddock. However, as of the initial days of testing, neither George Russell nor Lewis Hamilton have showcased the car’s full potential.
