Mercedes arrived in 2022 with a design radically very different from every other car on the grid. The biggest talking point was their side pod design, which many dubbed the “zero-pod” design theory. However, that innovation did not pay off as the car struggled with porpoising issues and just wasn’t quick enough. Lewis Hamilton, for the first time in his F1 career, went a season without a race win. Despite that, the team continued with the design theory in 2023 and until now, it looks like a failure again. That raised many doubts about Toto Wolff and his management capabilities. The Austrian has now hit back at such critics, refusing to let go of the top position.

Max Verstappen, after a driveshaft failure in Q2 in Saudi Arabia, started the race in P15. Steadily marching down the grid, he made overtakes with utmost ease. When it came to fighting Hamilton, the Briton did not show any resistance and let his rival pass. He later told it was because the RB19 was the fastest car he had ever seen and any attempt at blocking Max would have been futile. That statement is an embarrassing one for the Silver Arrows who dominated the championship for almost 10 years. However, the top management has shown confidence in Wolff.

In a recent interview with Speed Week, Toto said, “We’ve been through all the ups and downs and there’s not a millimetre of doubt. There’s so much support from them to get us back on track. We couldn’t ask for better support. I really enjoy being the team leader of this team. I think I can make my contribution.”

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Toto, however, insists that he would be the first to quit the team in case he or people around him feel that he does not have anything left to give to the team.

Toto Wolff talks about what his life would look like after retirement

Despite F1 being an extremely technical sport, it has the most passionate fans. However, like many other sports, there is a significant toxic fanbase in F1 as well. Toto feels he could be that once he calls it quits on his job at Mercedes.

Speaking further in the interview, discussing his retirement life, Wolff said, “Then I would criticise from the sidelines, from a TV screen, and know better than everyone else. But until then I think I’ll keep enjoying it.”

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The F1 circus will move to the land down under this weekend where Mercedes will look to deliver a better result. Do you think they can fight for the top 3 positions with Red Bull, Ferrari, and Aston Martin there?