In an interview in July, with Ben Winstanley of Square Mile, Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff got candid, as he delved into the journey of his life. A life that led him to F1; A life away from racing, and of being an entrepreneur.

Toto states that F1 is in fact a business at the end of the day and should be treated like one. He pointed out that, like most businesses, it is important in F1 to value your stakeholders just as much as the shareholders.

He said, “There are many [team principals] now in our sport that are just one-trick ponies that run teams very well, there’s no two ways about it, but I think you need to have an ulterior focus in what you do. I believe that you can only do well when you’re able to put your own role, your own team, and the sport into the perspective of the wider world.”

The Mercedes main man explained that his experience of being an entrepreneur for over 20 years is what sets him apart. He strongly believes that not only has this experience contributed to making him who he is today, but has also benefitted the Silver Arrows in every way.

Wolff expressed that even at an age of ’49 plus one’, he is still learning and is looking forward to witnessing what the future holds for him.

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Furthermore, Toto Wolff delved into his journey of moving away from racing to becoming an entrepreneur which eventually led him to Silver Arrows.

Toto Wolff shed light on his journey of moving away from the race track

Toto Wolff, who got into motor racing at a young age, soon realized that the sport wasn’t for him. After having won the 24 hours Nürburgring in 1994, Wolff contemplated his move forward. He was way too tall for the sport and also had a few of his main sponsors back out.

He said, “I lacked the go-karting [experience], the possibilities and the testing, because there was not enough funds. This was the moment where I thought ‘I am not going to make it to the top in that sport.”

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Wolff soon stepped away from the tracks and found his way elsewhere. He pursued his education, served at jobs as a sales manager, and grew in the market to then move to Europe and start his own little adventure.

Eventually, through his ventures and having kept an eye on the F1 world, Wolff knew Mercedes was looking for a Team Principal, who wasn’t just limited to that role, but also a team co-owner. Talking to Forbes‘ Christian Sylt, Wolf stated, “I wouldn’t do it without being a co-shareholder because I’m an entrepreneur, that’s how I function. I need to be able to develop the value of the company.”

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Toto Wolff has always been an enterprising personality. Do you think he brings something different, yet integral, to the table? Is Wolff the best team principal in your opinion?