Toto Wolff Shows Reluctance to Abandon Mercedes’ Ship Despite Having Future Plans From the “Sidelines”

The team that won eight straight world championships redefined what it means to be dominant, yet they are currently on a losing streak. Although the team is still working relentlessly on their car, it has been evident that Mercedes would not be able to take out the mighty Red Bull since the Austrian team leads the German manufacturers by more than a second. However, amidst the struggling Mercedes, Toto Wolff is once again the center of attention where he is displaying his true self and is hesitant to quit the team’s ship.

The Silver Arrows, who believed they had put in sufficient effort to create a speedy W-14, have learned that it pales in comparison to Red Bull and the unexpected Aston Martin. This information has irritated the whole Silver Arrows squad, and team boss Toto Wolff has admitted that the group will begin designing a new vehicle pretty quickly. After the last season, Toto Wolff has been frequently questioned, primarily on Hamilton’s contract renewal or the Mercedes upgrade. Moreover, while taking in all the spices, we all forgot that Wolff’s own contract is up for renewal at the conclusion of this year’s campaign.

To give you a brief, Wolff re-signed a three-year contract in 2020 and also joined Daimler, the parent company of Mercedes, and Leno’s, a major chemical firm, as an investor. Hence, when Speed Cafe questioned Wolff, on whether the Mercedes Boss is eager to break Mercedes out of its rust, he replied in a subtle manner while also hinting at a future plan from the “sidelines.”

The Austrian said, “Whether it’s good or bad, I really enjoy being the team principal of this team. I think I can contribute. But if one day I come to the conclusion – or people that are close to me are going to tell me that I’m not (contributing) then I will consider giving the baton to somebody else.”

He added, “I would have no shame in that. Then I’d criticise from the sidelines, from a TV screen, and know it better but until then, I think I still have fun doing it. Obviously, turning a ship around after so many successful years, that’s really a good challenge, enjoyable.”

READ MORE: Amid the Horrific Mercedes Downfall, Toto Wolff Misses Game-Changing F1 Legend: “If He Were Here…”

Wolff is confident that the Silver Arrows will return to title contention even if they have not yet succeeded in creating a fast vehicle. Along with that, he asserts that he has no qualms about sticking a ‘Red Bull sticker’ on the automobile given the car has to be quick.

Toto Wolff has no shame in putting a Red Bull sticker on the upgraded Mercedes

Mercedes chose to develop their car using the “zero sidepod” approach, however, it has ended in failure, and thus the team is currently slaving away to alter their car. According to rumors, it is now anticipated that the Silver Arrows will adopt a design cue from Red Bull and Aston Martin. This made it clear that Wolff wanted to reenter the title chase.

Following the Saudi GP, Wolff spoke with Sky Sports F1 and said, “I’m looking optimistic in the future because we just need to put it in a different window. We’re changing the bodywork of the car, how the floor works, all of these things mechanically.”

While elaborating further, Wolff joked and said, “I don’t know, you can call it Red Bull or Aston Martin concept, [but] at the end, if it looks like an English double-decker bus, we would do it if it was fast put a little sticker, Red Bull, if they want to have it on.”

WATCH THIS STORY: Road cars inspired from F1 technology

In light of the aforementioned, do you believe that Mercedes’ modification would result in a face-off between the two fierce rivals in the ensuing 21 races?