Toto Wolff Confirms His "Indefinite" Future As Mercedes Team Principal: "Something In Me Has Changed" - Sports Illustrated

When Toto Wolff joined the Formula 1 scene in 2009 as a shareholder for the Williams team, he couldn't have imagined that he would one day become the team principal of Mercedes, one of the most successful teams to hit the F1 paddock. Fast forward to today, and the Austrian businessman has confirmed that he will stay with the Brackley team "indefinitely". 

Looking back to 2020, Wolff had to make a decision that would either see him sell his shares in Mercedes or continue his commitment to the team. 

“In 2020 there was a moment of reflection,” he admitted to Motorsport.com. “My plan in a way was to finish at 49. The idea I had before was to do something else, I wouldn’t have imagined myself beyond 50 as team principal.

“But something in me has changed, in the past each of my projects was based on a clear guideline: buy shares in a company, develop it, and then sell the shares, and that was the plan when my adventure in Formula 1 began.

"But in 2020 I came to the conclusion that for the first time in my life I wanted to stay where I was, and I changed the strategy."

As Wolff reflects on his journey into uncharted territory, he recounts: 

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"In 2013, I signed a three-year contract, and it was a very good period, so I renewed for another three years and then another three years. In 2020, I had to decide what to do, go on indefinitely or get out. And I chose the first option."

Now, at the age of 51, Wolff sees himself as the Mercedes boss for many more years to come. As he puts it, "This is what I do and this is my company. The 'problem' is that I can't leave."

He continued: 

“I thought about other scenarios, even the possibility of moving to Thailand, changing my business, basically changing my life. But in the end, here I am, I’m in my company. I’m one of three shareholders and honestly I think I had a great opportunity to be where I am. It is important to remember that especially when there are ups and downs.”

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Toto Wolff Confirms His "Indefinite" Future As Mercedes Team Principal: "Something In Me Has Changed" - Sports Illustrated
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