Toto Wolff makes telling remarks on Lewis Hamilton relationship after Ferrari move

has explained that are 'still great friends' with after the seven-time world champion's move to . The legendary Brit has struggled to learn the ropes with the SF-25, while his former team have started the campaign well. Hamilton spent 12 seasons with Mercedes after joining from McLaren, and delivered six Drivers' Championship titles for Wolff's squad as the Silver Arrows established a dynasty in the turbo-hybrid era.

Therefore, when his surprise move to Ferrari was announced in February last year, it shocked the motorsport community and set up a drawn-out divorce with Wolff's outfit. However, according to the Mercedes team principal, the relationship with Hamilton remains very strong.

"First of all, I want to avoid some headlines," he said after free practice at the Miami Grand Prix. "We are still great friends with Lewis. I mean, I spent a lot of time with him travelling and still seeing him, and it came to a point last year where you know, it's like you're spending 12 years in a row on holiday with your best friend.

"At a certain stage, you say, maybe we do something else this time around. And for Lewis, he needed a refresh, a reinvention. Ferrari is iconic, no doubt about that. Certainly, you've also got the terms that were interesting for him.

"And with us, Kimi [Antonelli] was in the starting blocks, and eventually it was this year, or next year to bring him in. And bringing him in this year means we have a learning year before the new regulations kick in. He's going to know all the tracks - for example, this one he's never been [to] - and that felt like the right decision."

While Hamilton's move to Maranello created unprecedented hype and intrigue heading into the 2025 campaign, the results have, save for the sprint race win in Shanghai, been nothing to write home about. The F1 icon has been unable to close up to team-mate Charles Leclerc's performances.

"I think we've seen that magic in the [Shanghai] sprint race. He was completely dominating that race," Wolff continued, discussing Hamilton's recent form. "And it's not like you have the magic in one race and then suddenly you lose your magic in the following one.

"I very much believe that it is still there. If he aligns all of his performance contributors, if he feels being in the right space, the car to his light liking, he will be stellar. I have no doubt about that."