Lewis Hamilton Focused on Ferrari “Dream” as He Nearly Admits Defeat for Toto Wolff and Co at Imola GP

Despite still driving for a rival team, Lewis Hamilton received a grand reception from Tifosi in Imola. The Ferrari fans are already treating the Mercedes driver as one of their own. Though he’s utterly grateful for this and expects even better next year, he still has to go up against Charles Leclerc & Co. today in his W15. But the Imola GP circuit will not be Mercedes’ best friend, he reckons.

Hamilton has a childhood connection with Italy. This makes his move to Ferrari even more special. While Mercedes’ deteriorating performance graph is troublesome with him only managing P8 in qualifying, the Briton no longer seems to be expecting anything better from Team Principal Toto Wolff. He is reveling in the trailer of the Ferrari fame and perks.

When asked about his expectations from Ferrari and Tifosi a year from now on their home soil, a broad smile graced the 7-time champion’s race during the drivers’ parade. “I need to do better in Italian, but of course, so excited,” Hamilton said. “They’ve been so supportive for quite some time, actually. I definitely feel the energy now, and it’s going to be a dream next year, being here.”

The Ferrari fever has already developed on the Briton. To center himself, he also spoke about Mercedes’ dull expectations at the Imola GP. “I think overtaking here is quite difficult,” he said, emphasizing the hopelessness of achieving any better. “But everyone’s going to be giving absolutely everything to try and get some good battles in,” he added.

The veteran racer seems to have a good grip on balancing his current team and his expectations from the next. Because of his professionalism, Toto Wolff still involves him in major meetings regarding their 2025 car.

Toto Wolff still reliant on Lewis Hamilton for Mercedes’s 2025 developments

Close friends Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff handled the former’s abrupt move to Ferrari amicably. Like any other Team Boss in this situation, it was assumed that Wolff would cut out his departing driver from being involved in major decisions to avoid any intellectual property loss to the rival team. But in Mercedes, it’s different.

“Yeah, I am still,” Hamilton said about his involvement in the Silver Arrows’ 2025 car, as quoted by Express. “Nothing’s changed. We’re still having our big meetings back at the factory. I’m still fully enjoying working with everyone and having the discussions, and the team has been really, really great. I am massively respectful, and I’m here trying to help this team progress this year and also into next year.”

He even emphasized that he ideally shouldn’t be helping out to this extent but will do so because of their beautiful history. If Hamilton lucks out with a Safety Car in Imola today, advancing from P8 to the podium positions, Tifosi will celebrate irrespective of their current drivers’ position. Stay tuned with us for all updates on the Imola GP.