Photo by Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari struggles will be forgotten, says Mercedes boss Toto Wolff

Originally posted on HITC | By David Comerford | Last updated Sep 12, 2025 8:30 AM ET

Lewis Hamilton’s switch to Ferrari was one of the most talked-about moves in Formula 1, but Toto Wolff believes it may not end up as a defining moment.

Hamilton holds more records than any other driver in the sport’s history, while Ferrari remains its most decorated team. Between them, they account for 22 drivers’ titles and 353 wins.

Yet none of those wins have come together. Hamilton is still looking for his first podium finish in his first 16 races with the team, a stretch that few would have predicted when he signed.

There are now serious questions about whether Hamilton can be the driver to end Ferrari’s long wait for another championship. Even if they produce a title-contending car next season, doubts remain about whether he’ll be able to make the most of it given his recent form.

Toto Wolff: Ferrari struggles won’t change how Hamilton is remembered

Hamilton’s move to Ferrari was fuelled by the ambition to surpass Michael Schumacher and claim a record eighth world title. But so far, his time at Maranello has started to draw comparisons with Schumacher’s later years at Mercedes.

When Schumacher came out of retirement to join Mercedes, he was 41 – just a year older than Hamilton is now. Over three seasons, he didn’t manage a win and had only one podium before being replaced by Hamilton in 2013.

Photo by Jayce Illman/Getty Images

Nico Rosberg managed just one win during his time as Schumacher’s teammate, while Leclerc hasn’t yet won alongside Hamilton. Both records tell a similar story.

Wolff told GPBlog that he doesn’t believe Hamilton’s struggles at Ferrari will have any lasting impact on how he’s remembered in F1 history.

“He’s going to retire, nobody’s going to ever know that he was at Ferrari at the end,” Wolff said. “Who thinks about the Schumacher and Mercedes time? That isn’t relevant for Schumacher’s career.”

Max Verstappen shares his thoughts on racing Lewis Hamilton

Before the 2025 season began, Martin Brundle suggested that Hamilton might have lost a step. He believed the Briton could still reach 96 or 97% of his best, but felt his peak had already passed.

If that’s true, he may no longer be in the absolute top category of drivers. Max Verstappen is the only unanimous inclusion in that bracket, but Leclerc, Oscar Piastri, Lando Norris and George Russell may all feature too.

Photo by Jayce Illman/Getty Images

In a recent interview, Verstappen admitted he doesn’t miss racing against Hamilton. Still, he values what he learned from their intense battles in 2021.

This season has included some of Hamilton’s toughest moments. But if he can deliver an eighth championship in either 2026 or 2027, it could solidify him as F1’s greatest driver for many fans. In that scenario, joining Ferrari wouldn’t be seen as a misstep but as the perfect final chapter to an incredible career.

This article first appeared on HITC and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: