According to rumours from Grandpx.com, Toto Wolff could be in line to potentially succeed F1 chief executive Chase Carey. Wolff currently occupies the position of Mercedes AMG F1 team principal.
During the Azerbaijan GP weekend, the Mercedes boss did not deny talks of his contract expiring at the end of 2020. In addition to that, rumours state that Wolff has not had the best of relationships with incoming Daimler Chairman, Ola Kallenius. Kallenius is set to succeed Dieter Zetsche at the German company. The Swede was also an advocate for electric power, which explains Mercedes’ involvement in Formula E as well.
A GPToday.net report says that although Wolff has a 30% shareholding in Mercedes. There are chance that it could be withdrawn sometime in the future. Now, sources claim that the Austrian is “considering his future” in the sport.
The report further claimed that current F1 CEO Carey is set to resign from his position. Apparently, the shocking move could come after a 12 month extension of his contract at the end of 2020.
image source: Motorsport.com
However, a Formula One spokesperson elected not to respond to the rumours of Carey’s exit. Carey supposedly has a three-year contract which expires at the end of this year. However, there was a clause where Carey can extend it by 12 months if necessary. This would make sense as it coincides with plans for F1’s new regulations to take effect from 2021 onwards.
In the meantime, it is unclear as to where Wolff rumoured departure will leave Mercedes in 2021. If Wolff does take the F1 job, Mercedes will likely find it difficult to replace him. But for now, The Austrian is focused on the 2019 season and Mercedes at the moment as his two drivers vie for the title. As the F1 paddock heads to Barcelona to properly kick off the European season, both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas are eager to go out guns blazing.
