Toto Wolff has revealed that his relationship with Lewis Hamilton is still “very strong” despite the Briton leaving Mercedes for Ferrari.
Hamilton shocked the world when he revealed he would be leaving the Silver Arrows after over a decade to move to the Scuderia.
The move left Wolff in disbelief as he expected the seven-time champion to end his career with Mercedes, leaving many wondering what their relationship would be like after the swap.
Wolff has now revealed that the pair worked together to make sure that their relationship stayed in good spirits.
Reuters | Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton have worked together to make sure their relationship doesn't fracture
Wolff revealed: “When he decided to go, it could have been very awkward, borderline hostile.
“And we actively talked about how to not make it that. All of us made a real effort in trying to be very accommodating, very understanding. He’s maintained being a friend. He pops up in the office on the weekend!”
Hamilton has been struggling to adapt to his new SF-25; he has yet to score a Grand Prix podium with Ferrari, and at the British Grand Prix last weekend, he ended an 11-year podium streak around Silverstone, leaving the home fans disappointed.
While Hamilton may be struggling to adjust to life in Maranello, Wolff told the Wall Street Journal that the Briton frequently sees Mercedes crew and even travels back with former teammates Valtteri Bottas and George Russell.
He said: “He speaks with the engineers, gets some food. After many Grand Prix, he travels back with me. So we have the old gang: Valtteri Bottas, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and me flying from the races.”
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Reuters
|Lewis Hamilton travels with George Russell and Valtteri Bottas
Hamilton currently sits sixth in the drivers' standings behind both his current teammate Charles Leclerc and former teammate Russell.
Ferrari themselves are 12 points clear of the Silver Arrows in the constructors' championship at the halfway point of the season. The battle between his former and current teams is sure to rage on for the rest of the season.
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Wolff continued to explain that while their relationship off track is great, on track is a completely different story.
“It’s very unusual in any kind of relationship,” he explained. “But I tried to be very open and say, ‘Listen, on the racetrack, we want to beat you.’ No doubt about that.
GETTY | Lewis Hamilton took the win at the Belgian Grand Prix last year
“But it’s been 12 years that we have been in this relationship. We trust each other. I’m living a different life through his eyes - you know, he shows me his flirts and who he dates, and [asks], ‘Should I go for this girl or not?’ And I’m saying, ‘Yes, you should, and tell me how it was!’”
The two teams will go back to battle again this weekend for the Belgian Grand Prix.
Hamilton won the race last year with Mercedes, his last win in Formula 1. With the race proving a happy hunting ground for both driver and team, it remains to be seen who will come out on top on Sunday.