The race was intense, with Toto Wolff and the McLarens and Ferraris battling it out for supremacy. Pit stops were crucial, and every second counted. The medium tires were wearing thin, and teams had to decide when to switch to fresh rubber. The Ferraris, known for their aggressive strategies, were leading the pack, while the McLarens were hot on their heels.
Toto Wolff: The Ferraris didn't want to open a [pit stop] window for the McLarens. The slower we drove to finish the medium, the slower they drove. I've never done that in the last twelve years, but I got myself a yoghurt and an espresso in between.https://t.co/wBvTAwTWVT
— Junaid #JB17 (@JunaidSamodien_) May 26, 2024
As the laps ticked away, Wolff noticed an opportunity. The Ferraris were reluctant to pit, hoping to extend their stint on the medium tires. The McLarens, on the other hand, were ready for fresh rubber. Wolff saw a chance to disrupt the status quo.
Instead of calling in his Mercedes drivers, Wolff instructed them to maintain a slower pace. The goal? Force the Ferraris’ hand. If they didn’t pit soon, their tires would degrade, and the McLarens could capitalize.
Wolff’s unorthodox move didn’t end there. Toto Wolff said, “The Ferraris didn’t want to open a [pit stop] window for the McLarens. The slower we drove to finish the medium, the slower they drove. I’ve never done that in the last twelve years, but I got myself a yoghurt and an espresso in between.”
“That Is What He Said”: Toto Wolff on Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Move
When season six of Drive to Survive hit screens earlier this year, fans were treated to behind-the-scenes glimpses of the intense world of Formula 1. One particular moment stood out: Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ team principal, expressing disbelief at the thought of Lewis Hamilton donning Ferrari red. Fast forward a few months, and that improbable scenario is now a reality.
In the aftermath of the announcement, Wolff’s words from Drive to Survive echoed in his mind. He had said, “I couldn’t imagine Hamilton in red.” Yet, here was the seven-time world champion making the move to Ferrari. Wolff’s surprise was evident, but he harbored no grudges. “People change their minds,” he reflected in a recent interview with The Independent. “Today’s opinion might be different tomorrow, and I have no hard feelings.”
Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari marks the end of a 12-year partnership with Toto Wolff and Mercedes—a period that yielded six Drivers’ Championship titles, 82 Grand Prix wins, and eight Constructors’ crowns. Now, as he prepares to join the Scuderia, Wolff believes Hamilton can add to his impressive tally. “If Ferrari provides Lewis with a competitive car,” Wolff asserted, “he can win a World Championship. There is no doubt about that.”
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