‘I promised Lewis I wouldn’t speak to Max’ – Wolff reveals sweet Hamilton vow in chat with wife in new Drive To Survive

TOTO WOLFF has appeared to hint Lewis Hamilton did not want Max Verstappen as a teammate at Mercedes.

Seven-time F1 champion Hamilton has switched from Mercedes to Ferrari for the new 2025 season.

Hamilton’s shock move is the subject of a new episode in Netflix’s hugely popular documentary series Drive to Survive.

The 40-year-old has penned a two-year deal with the Italian giants.

He announced he was leaving Mercedes after 13 years last February, stunning the world of F1.

Hamilton has previously indicated he would “100 per cent” race in the same team as any other F1 driver, per Sky Sports.

But the new conversation between Wolff and his wife Susie appears to suggest the Brit was keen to avoid teaming up with rival Red Bull Verstappen.

In the clip, Wolff and Susie are on the balcony of their home in Monaco.

The pair are discussing who to replace Hamilton with – and whether George Russell is good enough to become Mercedes’ lead driver.

Wolff said: “Carlos [Sainz] is somebody to look at. He’s had some really good performances.

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“Fernando [Alonso]? I mean, race pace, racecraft is still very good.”

Susie pointed out Alonso, 43, would not constitute a “new era.”

She then asks her husband: “You don’t think Max is an option?”

Toto replied: “I think he is. But, if you win all the races in a season, I think he is.

“I haven’t spoken to him because I promised Lewis I wouldn’t talk to him.

“But I will have the conversation now.”

After failing to land Verstappen, Wolff changed his approach.

Mercedes opted for youngster Kimi Antonelli to step into Hamilton’s shoes with Russell as lead driver.

Antonelli has been part of the Mercedes junior team for five years and began karting at the age of just seven.

Hamilton drove his new Ferrari car in Bahrain ahead of the F1 season opener in Melbourne next week.

And he insists there is “no bad blood” between himself and Mercedes after the split.

Speaking to TIME Magazine, Hamilton said: “There is no bad blood.

“Absolutely not. We won so many championships.

“They have all the ingredients to win world championships, and they will win more World Championships.

“I have no doubt.”

Elsewhere on the new episode of Drive to Survive, Red Bull boss Christian Horner hit back in the wake of his sexting scandal.

Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk