Toto Wolff:

“Then we’ll jump over our own shadow”

Lewis Hamilton (right) starts his last season under Toto Wolff (left).

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The hunt for world champion Max Verstappen begins tomorrow at the Bahrain International Circuit. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff is hoping for a brilliant farewell tour from Lewis Hamilton.

The camouflage and deception is over, in today's qualifying for the season opener in Bahrain, the pants have to come off and the cards have to be put on the table. For many protagonists, the new revolutionary Red Bull RB 20 with Max Verstappen is once again the clear favorite. After the test days, former champion Fernando Alonso said that "19 drivers already know that they won't be world champions". There is probably no clearer way to put it.

Max Verstappen is once again the big hunted this year.

(Bild: Associated Press)

Very clear ideas
But burying your head in the sand is not the order of the day for the competition. Mercedes, the long-standing industry leader, is hoping to get close to Red Bull again after two mixed years. And in a very special season, as Lewis Hamilton is leaving the "Silver Arrows" for Ferrari this winter after twelve years. It was (and is) the big topic in the preparations. Will the seven-time world champion have to line up behind George Russell when it comes to development work for next year's car? Will Hamilton soon lose his motivation?

Lewis Hamilton will take his seat in the Ferrari in 2025 (montage).

(Bild: Marton Monus/Pool Photo via AP, APA/AFP/Nelson ALMEIDA, Photoshop)

However, team boss Toto Wolff has very clear ideas about this. "I had to take a deep breath after his decision, but after five minutes it was clear that this is the situation and we have to move on," says the 52-year-old Viennese and emphasizes: "We want to bring our time together to a happy end. And if we have a car that is capable of winning or even winning the title, we will jump over our own shadow and involve Lewis in all our considerations right down to the last meter."

Convinced of title chances
There has also been much discussion about the reason for Hamilton's sudden change of heart. Has he realized that the "Silver Arrow" can only continue to play second fiddle? The 103-time Grand Prix winner denies this. "I am convinced that this squad can win titles again, I have the utmost confidence in this incredible team."

Lewis Hamilton

(Bild: APA/AFP/Andrej ISAKOVIC)

Red Bull has also taken note of Mercedes' good long runs in last week's tests. "In addition, Ferrari is very fast on one lap, and tire wear also seems to be less. In general, the gap has narrowed," says Head of Motorsport Dr. Helmut Marko, who expects heated duels between Ferrari, Mercedes, Aston Martin and McLaren.

The question remains for Toto Wolff: how is he feeling about the season opener? "Red Bull should be clearly ahead, but our drivers are happy with the overall balance of the car and the correlation with our simulations seems to be right. That's all encouraging for now."