Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has “no doubt” Lewis Hamilton still has the “magic” to perform at a high level after a difficult start to life at Ferrari.
Hamilton has largely been outperformed by Charles Leclerc after six rounds but was more competitive last weekend in Miami, finishing third in the Sprint and on the tail of his Ferrari team-mate in the main race, albeit in eighth.
The three race weekends prior to that saw Hamilton lost for answers as he was unable to beat Leclerc in competitive sessions, and the seven-time champion said after April’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix that it would be a “painful” 2025.
“I think we saw that magic in the Sprint Race in Shanghai. He was completely dominating that race,” said Wolff, who spent 12 seasons as Hamilton’s boss at Mercedes.
“It’s not like you have the magic in one race and then suddenly you lose the magic in the next one. I very much believe that it’s still there.
“If he aligns all his performance contributors and feels he is in the right space and the car is to his liking, he will be stellar. I have no doubt.”
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Lewis Hamilton led from start to finish as he claimed his first victory with Ferrari in the Sprint at the Chinese Grand Prix
Despite his struggles, Hamilton is only 12 points behind Leclerc ahead of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola.
Hamilton’s pace deficit to Leclerc has not been in one particular area, and Wolff thinks his former driver will rediscover his best form.
“I’m also not surprised he has those road bumps. He was with us 12 years – the way of operating. He’s been put in a Ferrari, where his team-mate has been a long time,” continued Wolff.
“And his team-mate clearly is one of the very good ones. So from the outside and speaking to him, it’s a trajectory any new driver needs to go through in a top team.”
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Lewis Hamilton sends jabs at Ferrari on team radio during the Miami Grand Prix
Wolff still ‘great friends’ with Hamilton
Earlier this year, Wolff said it felt like he had three drivers as he watched Hamilton’s progress at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, as well as his two Mercedes drivers.
The German confirmed he still talks to Hamilton away from the paddock.
“We’re still great friends with Lewis. I spent a lot of time with him, travelling, and I’m still seeing him,” he said.
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Sporting superstars including Lewis Hamilton, Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Simone Biles attend the Met Gala 2025 at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York
“It came to a point last year where, you know, it’s like spending 12 years in a row on holiday with your best friend. At a certain stage you say, well, maybe do something else this time around.
“And for Lewis, he needed a refresher, a reinvention. Ferrari is iconic, no doubt about that. Certainly he also got terms that were interesting for him.”
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New footage of a wholesome exchange between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc after team orders dispute at the Miami Grand Prix
Russell: Not nice to see Hamilton struggles
Hamilton’s lack of consistent, strong results is a continuation of his last year at Mercedes where he finished behind team-mate George Russell in the championship and was outqualified 19-5.
Russell thinks people have been “underestimating how difficult Formula 1 is” and how difficult it is to adapt to a new team.
“He’s a champion, he’s a winner, and he’s in a position where he can’t achieve that,” said Russell.
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Speaking on The F1 Show podcast, former Aston Martin strategy engineer Bernie Collins explains why Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc found Ferrari’s race strategy frustrating at the Miami Grand Prix
“And it’s not easy to accept. If he was beaming with a big smile, you’d be questioning why he’s beaming with a big smile.
“I’ve got a lot of respect for him and I like him personally. It’s not nice to see somebody who’s not enjoying it.
“But why should he be enjoying it? Because for him it’s not about the money, it’s about the results. And it’s not clicking for him at the moment, but I’m sure it will click at one point.”
Sky Sports F1’s Emilia Romagna GP Schedule
Thursday May 15
2pm: Drivers’ Press Conference
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Look back at some of the most dramatic moments to have taken place at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
Friday May 16
8.50am: F3 Practice
10am: F2 Practice
12pm: Emilia Romagna GP Practice One (session starts at 12.30pm)
2pm: F3 Qualifying
2.55pm: F2 Qualifying
3:40pm: Emilia Romagna GP Practice Two (session starts at 4pm)
5.15pm: The F1 Show
Saturday May 17
9am: F3 Sprint
11:15am: Emilia Romagna GP Practice Three (session starts at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 Sprint
2.10pm: Emilia Romagna GP Qualifying build-up
3pm: EMILIA ROMAGNA GP QUALIFYING*
5pm: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
Sunday May 18
7.25am: F3 Feature Race
8.55am: F2 Feature Race
12:30pm: Grand Prix Sunday: Emilia Romagna GP build-up
2pm: The EMILIA ROMAGNA GRAND PRIX
4pm: Chequered Flag: Emilia Romagna GP reaction
5pm: Ted’s Notebook
*Also live on Sky Sports Main Event
F1’s European season begins with the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
