Lewis Hamilton had 'terrifying' Toto Wolff experience amid Mercedes exit

Lewis Hamilton has admitted telling about his plan to leave was a "terrifying" experience.

Deciding to walk away from the team he has enjoyed the vast majority of his success with was far from easy. And then the seven-time champion had to follow that up by telling his boss that he planned to join rivals .

He did so in late January, a couple of days before . Reflecting on that period, recalled how scary it was for him to sit down with Wolff and tell him of his plan to walk away.

He met the Austrian at a planned breakfast where he then broke the news. Speaking to the , he recalled: "It's been a rollercoaster of emotions from the moment I signed the contract - telling my boss, that was terrifying."

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Starting a new chapter of his F1 career at the age of 40 is a bold step from Hamilton, who is hunting an eighth championship success before retirement. But he has said in the past that he has flirted with the idea of racing in the famous Ferrari cars.

And in the Times interview he went on to name . He explained: "It is so exciting because I remember as a kid watching Michael. Every driver watches that car and you're like: 'What would it be like to sit in the red cockpit?'"

Until he completes that switch, though, the seven-time F1 champion insists his full focus is on finishing his Mercedes career on a high. And he has proven it this season by ending his long victory drought to win twice, at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps.

Just six rounds remain of the current season as the end of his most successful era creeps ever closer. And Hamilton admits the thought of leaving makes him more and more emotional with each passing race.

He said: "It's been there all year. Every single race you turn up. I love my team so much. We have been through a hell of a lot together so it will be emotional every single race.

"Because every race we do is the last time at that particular place. Every race we get closer and closer to the last time I'll be in that Mercedes. It's going to be tough, but my focus is just to do my best job for the team and to finish on a high."