Lewis Hamilton possibly revealed a clue regarding Ferrari during a confidential discussion with Toto Wolff, which was inadvertently captured by Netflix’s filming crew.
The latest season of Drive To Survive is now available, spotlighting the previous year. This period was marked by Hamilton and Mercedes engaging in contract talks while facing challenges with their performance in races.
During a meeting in Wolff’s office, the cameras documented a candid conversation between Hamilton and Wolff about the future of their collaboration.
Toto Wolff to Hamilton: “Last year [2022], the development of the car, you weren’t happy with me? Sticking to the concept, holding onto it because of the encouraging results at the end…”
Hamilton interrupted: “That was the biggest failure.” Wolff then concurred: “It was the biggest failure.”
Hamilton: “Because last year led us in the wrong… you know…”
Wolff said: “For me, personally, when you see the step that Aston Martin made over the winter… if we get it right with the concept of the car – the aero and the balance – we can win a championship.
“But I don’t want to wait until 2026 when we have the new engine regulations.”
Hamilton then dropped a clue which may have hinted at what was to come.
Hamilton, then aged 38, told Wolff: “You can be here for 20 more years, 30 more years. I can’t!”
Wolff: “Who says that?”
Hamilton said: “Precious years for me. I don’t know…”
Wolff: “Lewis, you are much more than a racing driver. Much more than a seven-time world champion. You are one of the people who leads this team forward.”
However, Hamilton left the F1 world – including Wolff – in shock when he triggered a clause in his contract that allows him to join Ferrari in 2025.
He will spend the current season with Mercedes, behind the wheel of the W15, before making the switch to the renowned Italian team.
Hamilton shared his thoughts in an interview with Netflix’s Drive To Survive, reflecting on the previous year.
“I have been with Mercedes since I was 13. So, perspectives just shift. This year my contract is up for renewal,” said Hamilton.
“My mindset is: we’ve had two difficult years so my goal is to get back on top to win a world championship again.
“But then we get in the car, in 2023, and it’s the evil sister. Yeah…”
Hamilton added about his struggles: “I can’t remember winning, if I’m honest.
“It’s been a minute. I don’t remember what that feeling is.
“We have to take it on the chin. Acknowledge that we did not get it right. We took the wrong decisions. Make big strides in the right direction before it’s too late.”
Hamilton told a back story about the Mercedes engineers ignoring his advice, to their eventual peril.
He said: “Last year I remember complaining to the team: ‘Look we need to make these changes or this is the trajectory we’re going to go on, and this is where we will end up, please please do something about it…’
“I remember that day, they said: ‘We know what we are doing, you are wrong’.
“That was an interesting moment. I stepped back and didn’t want to step on anybody’s toes.
“Then we spoke again in the season – ‘maybe you were right…’”
Hamilton, speaking about re-signing with Mercedes last year, said: “Every time you do a contract, you’d be an idiot if you didn’t analyse where you currently are, and what other opportunities there are.
“Then you make a decision – explore other opportunities or continue along with what you’re doing.”
Wolff said about Hamiton’s new Mercedes contract last year: “I completely understand that Lewis needs to look for the best opportunity for himself.
“But what we agreed early on was to not talk to anybody else before being open and honest with each other.”
Wolff added: “In every relationship you will have moments where your objectives differ. That’s how life goes.
“In the context of our relationship, he’s a loyal guy.”
Hamilton said: “Toto and I have a lot in common. We are competitive and hate losing. We’ve had two difficult years but I still have so much faith in Mercedes. You’ve just got to take a leap of faith.
“Toto has listened. There never feels like a time where I won’t be a Mercedes driver. It is home. It is family.”
Wolff made a foreboding comment regarding Hamilton donning Ferrari’s iconic red, stating, “It wouldn’t suit him…”
