Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has chosen not to persuade Lewis Hamilton to cancel his move to Ferrari after taking advice from Pep Guardiola into account. The seven-time Formula 1 champion will bid farewell to the Silver Arrows at the end of the current campaign and will join the Italian team in 2025.

During his 11-year tenure with MercedesHamilton cemented his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. He won six world championships, adding to the title he won at McLarenand played a key role in eight consecutive constructors’ titles. Naturally, his departure leaves a significant void for Wolff to fill.

The Austrian has turned his attention to youth with teenage prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli taking Hamilton’s place next year. After learning of the Briton’s intention to leave, Wolff revealed that he had followed the advice of the Manchester City manager on how to handle such a major departure.

Speaking on the High performance podcastHosted by former F1 presenter Jake Humphrey, Wolff shared: “I had a conversation with Pep Guardiola a long time ago, he’s a friend, and I said ‘What do you do if so and so player leaves?’

“He said, ‘What do you mean, what do I do?’ And I said, “Well, are you trying to convince them to stay?” And he said, ‘No, if anyone thinks they can play better somewhere else, then just let them go.’

Wolff revealed he respected the Spaniard’s advice, indicating he had not tried to persuade Hamilton to change his mind. “It’s something I accept in the same way here,” he added. “If anyone wants to go, let’s make it as smooth as possible for both parties.”

News that Hamilton had agreed to sign with Ferrari for the 2025 season emerged before the start of the current campaign. Wolff admitted to being informed of the sensational decision weeks before the official announcement, thanks to Carlos Sainz Sr.

The former racing driver and father of Carlos Jr, who will give up his seat at Ferrari for Hamilton, informed him of the news before Hamilton had the chance to personally inform his boss. “So I heard the bells ringing two weeks before,” Wolff said. “Yeah, old man Sainz called me and said, this is what’s happening. And then there were a few drivers’ dads who called me who hadn’t done it before. So I thought, okay…something’s going on there.”

This news led Wolff to send a message to Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur, and the Frenchman’s non-response almost confirmed his suspicions that Hamilton was indeed leaving. “Then I sent a text to Fred Vasseur saying, ‘Are you taking our driver?’ I got no response,” he continued. “Very unusual for Fred. He’s a good friend. So yeah, I saw it coming.”