Shareholder and director of the Mercedes team in Formula 1, Toto Wolff does not plan to cede control of the Brackley structure despite the sporting difficulties of the moment.
Despite the bad patch the Brackley team is going through, Toto Wolff thinks of nothing but leading again Mercedes at the top of Formula 1. He who has sometimes imagined handing over, preparing his succession and taking on a new role, believes that this prospect is not relevant.
After a failed 2022 season, the German manufacturer unfortunately started the 2023 campaign for him in more or less similar arrangements, far from a team Red Bull who crushed the first two Grands Prix with doubles without any challenge. Mercedes is working on the development of its W14 but know that the road will be long to return to the desired level. Although aware that it is sometimes necessary to find the right moment to stop, Toto Wolff is not in this perspective, resolutely turned towards the quest for solutions that do not go through his own sidelining.
“Whether it goes well or badly, I really like being the team manager”assures the Austrian, evoking his future. “I think I can contribute. But if one day I come to the conclusion, or people close to me tell me that this is no longer the case, then I will consider passing the baton to someone I would have no problem being on the sidelines, criticizing from behind a TV screen and saying I know the situation better. But until then, I think I’m still having fun doing it. And of course, to raise the bar after so many years of success, it’s really a great challenge.”
The situation of Toto Wolff at the head of Mercedes in F1 differs greatly from that of his competitors, since he himself is a shareholder in the team. This does not prevent him from having to leave his post if the board of directors considers that this is what should be done, but on this point, the support of the other shareholders is today solid according to the principal concerned.
“Mercedes and INEOS managers are very successful individuals within the company or in sport”emphasizes Toto Wolff. “We’ve all had our ups and downs, and there’s not a millimeter of doubt. There’s a tremendous amount of support from them to get us back on track. I couldn’t wish for better. support, whether from Jim [Ratcliffe, PDG d’INEOS] or Ola [Källenius, PDG de Mercedes-Benz]and all those associated with this project.”