Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has been providing personal support to his former driver, Lewis Hamilton, during the seven-time world champion's challenging first season with Ferrari. The revelation came from the team's chief communications officer, Bradley Lord, highlighting the enduring bond between Hamilton and his old squad.
A Season of Frustration for Hamilton at Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari for the 2025 season has proven far more difficult than anticipated. The British driver has openly described this year as the "worst season ever," despite his immense efforts both on and off the track. Struggling with an underperforming car and questionable race strategies, his frustrations have been palpable throughout the campaign.
His difficulties were starkly illustrated at the Qatar Grand Prix, the penultimate race of the season. Hamilton was eliminated in the first qualifying session (Q1) and, despite a fighting drive during the race, could only manage a 12th-place finish, outside the points. He currently sits sixth in the drivers' championship with 152 points, just two points ahead of Kimi Antonelli, and risks dropping to seventh at the final race in Abu Dhabi.
Mercedes Extends a Helping Hand
Despite now being a rival, Mercedes has shown compassion for Hamilton's plight. Bradley Lord disclosed that Wolff has maintained contact with the driver, often travelling with him from race destinations to offer encouragement and discuss his challenges.
"We feel sorry for him on a human level, because we know how much heart and soul Lewis puts into his work, how committed he is, how much he trains and so on," Lord told CHAMP1. "And sometimes every driver has ups and downs, or phases where you just can't get it all together, and that hits him hard."
Lord emphasised the team's belief in Hamilton's abilities, stating: "We try to support him in our own way... we try to encourage him. Because we know that Lewis Hamilton can still be a benchmark and possibly will continue to be in this sport, and we still believe he can do it." He added a warning for rivals, predicting Hamilton will "come back even stronger" next year.
Ferrari Looks to the Future
As the season concludes, Hamilton is preparing for his final outing in the troublesome 2025 Ferrari at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He will not participate in the first free practice session; his car will be driven by Arthur Leclerc, brother of teammate Charles Leclerc.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur has urged his team to stay focused and learn from their mistakes. After the Qatar GP, he pointed to tyre pressure management as a key issue and drew a parallel with Max Verstappen's ability to rebound from mid-season struggles. "We as a team have to stay in our bubble and try to get the best from what we have," Vasseur said. "You can come back, and as a team we have to understand what we did wrong this weekend."
The Scuderia is now eager to end the season positively before turning its full attention to the crucial 2026 campaign regulations.
