Toto Wolff says he doesn’t feel the need to step away from Mercedes, and stressed that the team hasn’t been “in denial” since its last Formula 1 championship triumph.
Last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix was a rollercoaster for Mercedes, with Lewis Hamilton failing to make Q3 before retiring with an engine issue in the race, while George Russell suffered a heavy crash on the penultimate lap.
While the W15 showed flashes of competitiveness in Melbourne, it remains unpredictable. The team has already abandoned its zero-pod concept for 2024, shifting the cockpit rearward in a bid to build a more reliable platform.
Wolff acknowledged that there are “physical issues” at play and that there is a discrepancy between windtunnel data and track performance. But he insisted that Mercedes hasn’t been “in denial” since winning its eighth constructors’ title in 2021.
“As a co-owner of the team, I need to make sure that my contribution is positive and constructive,” the Austrian said. “So, I would be the first one to say, ‘if someone else has got a better idea, please tell me.’ And I’m committed to turning this around as quickly as possible.”
“I’m very happy to give my opinion and see what it is, who it is. But we’re dealing with physical issues rather than philosophical or organisational issues, because we haven’t been deaf and blind since 2021. We just don’t understand certain behaviors of the car, but we’ve always managed to get on top of it in the past.”
Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO, Mercedes-AMG F1 Team
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images
Wolff joined the team in 2013 as Executive Director and his response also addresses questions about whether he remains the right person to lead Mercedes.
The Austrian, who signed a new three-year deal earlier this year, directly addressed his future, stating that he’s not yet at a point where he considers giving up control.
“I look into the mirror every day and question everything I do,” said Wolff, who owns a 33% stake in the team. “If I think I should raise the manager or coaching question, these are legitimate questions, but this is not what I think I should be doing now. But if you have any ideas how to turn this around, I’m all ears.”
“The difference is, it’s not a management issue where you can say, ‘this is my job, I’m out’… I have no choice, and that’s also unfortunate. I’m not a contractor or an employee who can say, ‘I’ve had enough.’ My wheels are spinning, and I can’t stop them.”
Translated by Xiao Feixia
Wolff: Mercedes not ‘in denial’ over title drought. Author：Sports UEFA.Please indicate the source when reproduced：https://www.sportsuefa.com/speedy-f1/wolff-mercedes-not-in-denial-over-title-drought.html
