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Wolff explains why Hamilton won’t be able to turn out for Ferrari in Abu Dhabi post-season test
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Toto Wolff has offered an explanation as to why Lewis Hamilton will not be able to drive for Ferrari in the Abu Dhabi post-season test ahead of the seven-time world champion’s impending move to the Scuderia in 2025.
It was confirmed back in February that Hamilton would make the switch next season, bringing his long relationship with Mercedes to an end after first joining the team back in 2013.
READ MORE: Wolff expands on ‘shelf-life’ comment as he admits Mercedes have ‘failed’ Hamilton
But while outgoing Ferrari driver Carlos Sainz has been granted permission to get behind the wheel for his next squad, Williams, at the test in December, Hamilton will not be doing the same for the Italian outfit.
Speaking during the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend about why Hamilton is not available for Ferrari at the test, Wolff explained: “Fred [Vasseur] didn't ask. I think it's a difference also if you're maybe going to Williams, but we have contractual agreements with sponsors.
“We're having a farewell for Lewis. 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.”
Abu Dhabi will be Hamilton's final race with Mercedes before his move to Ferrari
With Ferrari boss Vasseur sitting beside him in the press conference, the Frenchman added: “No [I’m not sad]. There is a contract. We have to respect this. It's not because we are doing something for Carlos that everybody has to do the same. And as Toto said, I didn't ask Toto.”
When elaborating further on the decision to allow Sainz to drive for Williams in the Abu Dhabi test, he commented: “The story with Carlos is that I want to thank Carlos for the collaboration, and I don't want to block him or whatever.
“I think he did a very good job with us this season and a very professional one because it would have been easy to… not to give up, but not to have a so professional attitude. And for me, the best way to thank Carlos was also to give him the opportunity to do the test with Williams.”
Meanwhile, Wolff reflected further on the feelings at play as Mercedes and Hamilton prepare to enter their final race together, with the Austrian expecting the finale in Abu Dhabi to potentially be emotional.
Lewis Hamilton signs for Ferrari in 2025
“I think we're still running the season, so the weekends feel like they felt before,” said Wolff. “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 okay with that.”
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