Mercedes Lining up a Replacement as Toto Wolff Nears the End of His F1 Fairytale
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NUERBURG, GERMANY – Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff talks in the Team Principals Press Conference during practice ahead of the F1 Eifel Grand Prix at Nuerburgring in Nuerburg, Germany. (Photo by Joe Portlock/Getty Images)
Earlier this year, Toto Wolff mentioned that he would be taking up a new role within the Mercedes AMG F1 team. Recently, at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, the Austrian revealed that his priorities are entirely on handing over his responsibilities to the right person before transitioning into the new role.
During the press conference, Toto spoke about his view on moving himself into the role of either a Chairman or a CEO in the team. “I will stay with the team, and that is what we have agreed with Daimler. But maybe then in another function,” Toto said.
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“And whether it is CEO or Chairman, we haven’t decided. But Daimler has very much given me the choice. But before me transitioning into a new role, I need to make sure that somebody else is doing the 23 races. And I can enjoy myself in front of a Zoom screen.”
Prior to this weekend, Toto had commented that his role of being a team principal took a toll on him, as he could not spend enough time with his family.
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MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – OCTOBER 27: Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates with Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Hence, he cleared that once Daimler finds his successor for the team principal role, he would prefer handling the team remotely through video conferences whilst being with his family. This could practically solve all of his problems.
Mercedes boss reveals he would still enjoy watching his successor take over and do a better job
Toto revealed that he still has enough juice left to commit to the Mercedes AMG team, but also opinionated that when the time comes, someone will have to rise to the occasion of taking up the role.
Should probably add, I don’t think he will leave F1 completely, or indeed the team. (Yeah, shock, my stupid Racing Point / Aston Martin idea was only a sideways piece of idiocy.) He’s too invested. But as TP, I think he’s now on the road to finding his fulltime replacement.
— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) October 30, 2020
“I’ve always been of the opinion that you should never go from very good to good. Because somebody else should take the baton and run. And I still feel that I can make a contribution,” he said.
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Toto has always cherished the moment of watching his team members grow over the years. Even though Toto has literally carried Mercedes to the skies, he would be happy to watch his successor take the team further beyond that.
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While he admitted next year might not be “The Last Dance,” there’s now no question they don’t have many songs left together on the floor.
— Will Buxton (@wbuxtonofficial) October 30, 2020
“It would very much make me proud that to see a team principal coming up, taking over from me, and doing a better job than I could have done at that time,” he said.
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Even though Toto has hinted at the fact that he will not be stepping down as a team principal for the next season, such a decision is still coming towards the team in as early as 2022.
Considering Toto has always been a trump card in Mercedes’ growth over the years, the question is, could his successor maintain the same momentum as Toto has managed since his entry into Mercedes?
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