“I Do Not Regret It”: Despite Making the Missus Angry, Toto Wolff Once Took on Much Needed High Speed Adventure for Self-Fulfillment

Toto Wolff, the Mercedes boss, is not just an investor who is part of Formula 1 for the money. The Austrian was also a former race car driver and has a passion for the sport. However, an incident in his career limited Wolff’s role from behind the wheel to behind the screen. This is exactly why Wolff once jumped on the opportunity to race again despite the risk of angering his wife.

To give you some context, the Austrian raced in Formula Ford and the Austrian rally and FIA GT championships. However, in 2009, Wolff got into a horrific accident. While attempting to break the Nordschleife lap record, Wolff crashed his car at 270 kph (168 mph).

The Austrian injured himself, but survived the crash with no major or lifelong implications. Following the accident, he promised his wife, Susie Wolff, he will not race again.

However, once you race, you always go back, and that is exactly what Toto Wolff did. In 2017, the Mercedes boss made his return to competitive motor racing at the Nurburgring. In a race against multiple historic cars, Wolff drove a 1990 Mercedes 190 DTM.

When asked about his 2017 comeback, Wolff smiled and said, “Susie was not amused.” However, he added, “It was a lot of fun to drive that car. I do not regret it. It once again clarified why I ended up in this sport.”

Read More: “I Need To Go for That One”: Toto Wolff Reveals the “Sexy” Wow Factor That Drew Him to Second Wife Susie Wolff Over a Decade Ago

Despite his promise to his wife to never race again, Wolff indulged in the race in 2017. Something he hasn’t done the same since. In fact, out of the two, the Austrian billionaire wants his wife to race more than himself.

Toto Wolff criticizes Williams for not giving Susie Wolff a chance in F1

Susie Wolff, in all regards, is a pioneer of women’s racing. She was the first woman since Giovanna Amati in 1992 to drive an F1 car. Susie Wolff was behind the wheel during the 2014 British GP free practice session.

However, despite going 15th fastest among the 22-driver lineup, Williams did not give her a chance. Speaking to the Financial Times, Toto Wolff said, “She was within a few tenths of Felipe Massa. The final chance was denied. Williams never dared to make that call.”

WATCH THIS STORY: How a Kitchen Rendezvous Prevented Lewis Hamilton-Toto Wolff “Divorce”

If he couldn’t drive himself, Wolff was out there supporting his wife, but it never materialized. Who knows? Maybe Susie Wolff will become a team principal in the women’s series next.