The relationship between Wolff and Vasseur remains “respectful” despite Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari
Frédéric Vasseur and Toto Wolff have been rubbing shoulders in the F1 paddocks for many years. Their relationship has remained cordial over time, and Lewis Hamilton's departure from Mercedes to Ferrari does not diminish the mutual respect between the two team principals.
The decline in form of Mercedes since 2022, the challenge of winning the title with Ferrari, but also the presence of Frederic Vasseur, his former team manager at ART Grand Prix, with whom Hamilton won the GP2 in 2006, are the reasons that would have led the seven-time world champion to join Maranello.
If the transfer of the 38-year-old driver surprised Toto Wolff, the executive director of Mercedes holds no grudge towards his counterpart at Ferrari. « It has no effect on the relationship. It’s a tough competition. It’s a ruthless environment. I’m trying my best for our team », Vasseur does the same for Ferrari, explains the Austrian.
« Fred will be able to have a very good relationship with Lewis.
We have spoken to each other many times. We have coordinated our communications and I speak to him several times a week. It’s a bit like rugby. We punch each other in the nose, but we are capable of stepping off the field and having a respectful relationship, says the executive director of Mercedes.
Regarding Lewis, it is clear that the timing surprised us as well. I suppose what he tried to do was maybe to give us plenty of time to decide what we want to do for next year, the fifty-year-old.
I have no doubt that Fred will be able to have a very good relationship with Lewis as his boss. There’s no doubt about that. They have known each other for over 20 years, he raced with ART. Fred understands the mindset of race drivers. He does things very differently from me. But they have had a lot of success, as shown by his track record, concludes Toto Wolff.
