Guenther Steiner, the pragmatist former F1 team principal, is not fooled by the touching farewell that the Mercedes boss Toto Wolff he addressed Lewis Hamilton in his last grand prix for the Silver Arrows. In classic Steiner style, he labeled Wolff’s words as nothing more than “bullshit for the camera.”**
Hamilton, who spent 12 years with Mercedes and conquered six of his seven world titles with the Brackley team, he was visibly emotional after his last race in the Silver Arrows colours. Wolff’s radio message struck a sentimental note, saying that if Mercedes couldn’t win in the next few years, he hoped Hamilton would be the one to take Ferrari to the top. But Steiner? He can’t hear us.
“Oh no, you don’t wish that on him,” Steiner said bluntly. “That was just bullshit for the camera, it was just for the camera.”**
Steiner, known for his brutally honest opinions, believes Wolff’s comments were purely for optics. According to the former Haas boss, there is no way Wolff actually wants to see Hamilton succeed with Ferrari while Mercedes struggles. From Steiner’s point of view, a competitor like Wolff would not settle for second place or celebrate someone else’s success, even if it is Lewis Hamilton.
“No, because he didn’t win it,” Steiner explained. “There can only be one winner. I mean, why would he be happy, you know? He said, ‘If it’s not us, it should be you.’ Yes, of course, but if he doesn’t win, he doesn’t really care who wins, in my opinion.”
A Sentimental Goodbye—or Just Strategy?
Toto Wolff’s parting comments aimed to paint a picture of a strong and enduring bond with Hamilton—a partnership that shaped one of the most dominant eras in F1 history. However, Steiner’s skepticism touches on the competitive reality of the sport: F1 is no place for sentimentality when it comes to winning.
The 2024 season of Mercedes was less than stellar. Although they managed to secure some victories, the team’s overall performance was disappointing. With Red Bull continuing to dominate and McLaren and Ferrari gaining ground, Mercedes find themselves at a disadvantage. For Wolff to genuinely hope that Hamilton wins with Ferrari, that would imply a loser’s mentality—something Steiner refuses to believe in.
Hamilton’s bet with Ferrari
Hamilton’s move to Ferrari for 2025 marks one of the boldest decisions in modern F1 history. The Italian team, which has shown an upturn in speed and consistency, hopes that Hamilton’s experience and leadership can bring their first drivers’ championship since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007.
Steiner’s outspoken stance highlights how ruthless the sport remains. The sentimentality might tug at the heartstrings, but at the end of the day, everyone is in F1 for a reason: WIN.
The Verdict
Whether Wolff’s words are genuine or created for the cameras, one thing is certain: Hamilton’s move to Ferrari sets the stage for an explosive 2025 season. If Mercedes struggle to return to championship form while Hamilton thrives in red, Toto Wolff’s “sweet farewell” could come back to haunt him.
As for Steiner, he’s simply saying what everyone else might be thinking—because, in Formula 1, there’s no such thing as an elegant goodbye when championships are on the line. “Why should he be happy?” Indeed, Guenther. Indeed.
