Toto Wolff, the most fierce team principal and CEO of the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team, is worth an estimated $540 million. A rags-to-riches story is what the Austrian personifies. Wolff has been in the limelight post becoming Mercedes team principal and leading the team to glory. But what many don’t know is that he did not have it easy during the early years of his life.

He lost his father at a very young age and had a racing career, which was not exactly memorable. His mother, even though a doctor, had worked very hard to make ends meet. It is said that struggle builds strength. The Wolf has displayed just that. Not coming from money, he has been through quite a journey. Probably that is why he knew the stakes coming into a money-intensive sport.

As quoted by f1maximaal.nl, he said, “I remember when we were 14 years old we were taken out of class because the school fees hadn’t been paid, so we were sent home. How do you explain on the tram ride home why you had to leave after lunch? It was quite a humbling experience.”

He mentioned what his mother did to keep them afloat. “Everyday life was about my mother working hard as a doctor just so we could afford to stay in school. She may not have been good at motherhood, but she kept us alive; she kept us going.“

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Not having an ideal childhood probably shaped the man Wolff is today. He was out for blood after the 2021 season, but like his childhood, 2022 became a humbling experience as well.

Toto Wolff is set for a three-way fight to the championship in 2023

Toto Wolff,  33% owner of the German constructor team, has been one of the most successful team principals in the history of the sport. His partnership with Hamilton is for the history books. However, 2022 seemed to be the exact opposite of their hybrid era domination.

The German team has more substantive equality in terms of wind tunnel time. Hence, they can bring the fight to their two major rivals. Ferrari and Red Bull may have a ‘target on their back’ but Toto Wolff remains wary of making declarations this time around, as he feels they still have a few things to figure out in their car. Also, he feels that teams who had a better start after the regulation changes have a better chance of being ahead of the Brackley outfit.

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It is going to be a fun ride in the 2023 season with the expectations of the front runners fighting a close battle. Who would you place your money on?