Is Toto Wolff Taking a Step Back From F1 as Mercedes Team Principal?

Toto Wolff has been functioning in the capacity of Mercedes’ Team Principal for 8 years now. During his time with the Brackley-based outfit, the team has seen unprecedented success, winning 6 consecutive Constructors’ Championships.

Under the leadership of Wolff, Mercedes have achieved complete domination over the F1 grid. However, Wolff’s contract as the team boss comes to an end towards the end of this season. And according to the man himself, he has hinted at not continuing as the Team Principal.

Wolff said, “I love this team and I get along well with Ola Kallenius (Daimler CEO). I think this is my place. It is just that eight years in this team as Team Principal are taking its toll, and this is something that I’m reflecting on.”

Speculations are rife, suggesting that Wolff is to be offered a new role within the team. A role that will give the German the freedom of not attending all the races, allowing him to focus on other duties as Wolff is also the CEO of the Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport Formula One team.

Although the specifics of the role offered aren’t known, according to reports, an announcement regarding the aforementioned is to be made soon.

Mercedes boss insistent that his stepping out of the role won’t affect the team’s pursuit of championships

In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, when asked if his vacating the role of Team Principal would affect Lewis Hamilton and the team, Wolff said (via Motorsport.com), “If I decided to quit, he would continue to win.

“There are so many good people in the team. Mercedes would not start losing championships as long as we have the best car and the best drivers.”

Wolff might just bow out with a seventh Constructors’ Championship title as a parting gift to the team that has done so much for him. In many ways, Wolff is right.

Mercedes boast of the best car, as well as the best driver on the grid, and that is how it has been for a number of years now. Therefore, success is something that they will enjoy enduringly, even without Wolff at the helm of operations.

But that takes nothing away from the work he has done in getting the team to where they are. Besides, Wolff isn’t leaving Mercedes as a whole. He’ll still be around to cheer the team and will continue to play a pivotal albeit background role in their future success.