Toto Wolff joked that he wishes Lewis Hamilton ‘a car that’s not so fast’ when he leaves Mercedes for Ferrari over the winter. The legendary Brit has just three races left with the Silver Arrows before a 13-year partnership comes to an end.

Hamilton’s start to the Las Vegas Grand Prix was nothing short of perfect, topping both FP1 and FP2. Mercedes showed strong pace in the slippery track conditions, but the Brit’s team principal was not wishing him a similar fate for the 2025 campaign.

Asked about the emotions within the Mercedes camp ahead of Hamilton’s departure in the team principals’ press conference, Wolff said: “I think we're still running the season. So the weekends feel like they felt before.

“You know, these meetings where long-term development is being discussed, they don't happen so regularly and we didn't have them for the last few months. So it's pretty much standard as it is.

“There is no overwhelming emotion now that this is ending, but I'm sure the closer it's going to come to Abu Dhabi and the last sessions, the last race together will be quite a thing because we had this wonderful partnership for such a long time.

“But having said that, Lewis is not going to disappear. Lewis is going to be on the grid next year with a Ferrari. We are not losing the person, we are just losing the driver. But we embark on a new future.

“We have an 18-year-old and a 27-year-old that are going to be our drivers. And that is super exciting. And at the same time, personally, we wish Lewis all the best and happiness. And maybe a car that's not so fast. But nevertheless, it is a decision he took. And we're OK with that.”

Hamilton has announced his excitement regarding his upcoming move, but the seven-time world champion won’t get to step into Ferrari’s iconic red overalls during the post-season test in Abu Dhabi.

While some drivers such as Carlos Sainz and Oliver Bearman will get maiden run-outs for their new teams, Hamilton is tied down to a series of media duties as Mercedes plan a fitting farewell tour for their most successful driver.

“We're having a farewell for Lewis,” Wolff explained. “We're having lots of activities that are planned. And him and I, we spoke about it shortly, and he said, I guess that's not going to work. And I said, yeah, I don't think it's going to work. And that was the whole thing. So I don't think Fred is particularly sad.”