Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff has revealed that he and seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton did not divorce “ amicably” when the British driver announced his decision.

Lewis Hamilton announced his shock departure from Mercedes on the 1st of February. The announcement caught the Formula One community by surprise as the seven-time world champion was set to race for the Brackley-based outfit until the end of 2025.

However, the Briton elected to terminate his contract at the end of the current season and seek for a new challenge at Ferrari next year. Hamilton is statistically the most successful driver of the history of Formula One, tied with the great German seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher on the number of world championship titles.

In talk with Sky Sports F1, Wolff reflected on Hamilton’s farewell, describing it as an unfriendly divorce.

“There is a professional relationship and a personal one. But when we had signed a short-term contract, it was clear that this could happen. What hurt me was that I didn’t have time to react.

“It all happened in one day and when we were reflecting on the timing of the announcement, it was clear that the news had leaked by Ferrari, and that it was coming on the very day of the communication of their financial results.”

Wolff expressed regret over not having the opportunity to promptly inform sponsors and shareholders about Lewis Hamilton’s departure and the unfolding situation.

“Somewhere I read a motto: ‘Play hard, forgive quickly and apologize when you’re wrong.’ I mean, our personal relationship has not been affected.

“If I put myself in his shoes I can understand it, the team was not doing very well, it is in the last phase of its career and everyone wants to wear a red suit with the little horse. And also financially surely there were very favorable conditions.”

“I understand his motivations and I am absolutely at peace with him, our relationship is much deeper. But we didn’t divorce amicably,” concluded Wolff.