Toto Wolff: Nico Rosberg Abruptly Leaving Was a “Bigger Surprise” Than Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari Bombshell

Ferrari snatched Lewis Hamilton away from Mercedes, leaving an empty seat in the most dominant team of the 2010s. Together, Hamilton and Wolff have raced for years, winning several constructor cups and world championships. But after a decade-long journey together, the Briton driver has decided to make an exit. This has many wondering how Toto Wolff took the news.

Although the news came as a hard pill to swallow, such transfers are part and parcel of the Formula 1 business. Now that Hamilton’s transfer is all over the news, it looks like Toto Wolff is reflecting on his entire career. While the talk of the town is about Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes, the team principal opened up about a bigger surprise that he received back in 2016.

The early retirement surprise

Toto Wolff has been with Mercedes since 2013 and over the years he has seen many driver lineup changes. While it might come off as this transfer is the most shocking, the 52-year-old team principal came down to sit with BBC’s Chequered Flag podcast to talk about a more shocking transfer. The interview brings up the question about how Hamilton’s transfer compared to the retirement of Nico Rosberg. To this, Wolff replied, “Nico’s one was a bigger surprise and came also more out of nowhere.”

Explaining the difference in the situation, he said, “With Lewis, it was pretty clear what we were signing. There was such an option. But with Nico the sheer fact of the retirement you know he was so young, planning to retire out rather in Lewis’ case, he’s just switching teams.” The team boss explained how Rosberg’s unexpected retirement plans surprised him.

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Such an early retirement was puzzling for Wolff and he said, “I couldn’t quite understand but again the driver has made the decision, they’re big boys, and therefore you gotta do what’s right for the team.” With this, the Austrian team boss explains that although the Lewis Hamilton transfer was a shocker, he was more prepared for the news compared to the German retiring in 2016. The conversation on the podcast continued and the next question asked to Wolff gives clarity on how he goes about his job.

Why didn’t Toto Wolff try to retain Lewis Hamilton or Nico Rosberg?

When asked about why Wolff didn’t convince the drivers to stay, he said, “Very rarely do I try to convince someone who wants to go, to stay.” He explained how he has not tried to convince other drivers for the same. He stated his belief that if the driver prefers being on another team, then they should go for it.

 “We will look at the past with great respect and good feelings,” adds Toto Wolff, but he stands strong with his beliefs of not convincing someone to stay back. This shows how the Mercedes team principal approaches F1 roaster changes and gives insight into his take on Hamilton leaving the team.

Considering Toto Wolff has a seat to fill and a head for not trying to convince anyone to stay, who do you think will replace Hamilton in Mercedes for 2025? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.