Toto Wolff is one of the most powerful personalities in F1. The Austrian has gradually climbed his way up the pecking order and now finds himself among the top. A while back, the Mercedes boss revealed a pivotal decision that altered the course of his life and helped him reach where he is today.
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Toto Wolff realized he wasn’t cut out for the racing world on Red Bull’s Spielberg track aka the Red Bull Ring. He was introduced to the racing world by one of his dear friends who was competing in the German F3 at the time. His love for cars and racing made him decide to give it a go as a racer.
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However, when asked if he was any good at racing, Toto said, “I came to the first race and thought it was the SEAT Ibiza Cup, 30 participants, and I said, ‘well I am going to come there and blow you all away, that is clear’.
He continued, “First qualifying I remember I was 18th and I was told it was clear I am 18th because the engine needs 1,000km to properly function and mine was brand new. So, I took the car, it was actually Spielberg, the Red Bull Ring, took the SEAT, drove all night 1,000km, drove back and went into qualifying, finished 18th again.”
The Austrian concluded, “So, I realized there is more to it than what I thought was good. Then I did a proper racing school, went into Formula Fords and then there was the moment where it started to get better.”
DIVE DEEPER
As per driverdb.com, Toto entered 27 races in his career and won 3 of them. Furthermore, he stood on the podium 7 times and won the fastest lap once.
Toto Wolff opens up about the ‘bizarre’ moment he realized he wasn’t cut out for racing
After all the success he’s achieved, you’d think failure is not a word in Toto Wolff’s dictionary. However, Toto Wolff had the self-awareness of a champion. Wolff reveals how Alex Wurz made him realize that he was not going to be the best racer.
Formula One F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – Mercedes’ Team Principal Toto Wolff during the press conference FIA/Handout via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS – THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY. NO RESALE. NO ARCHIVES
Toto said, “Yes, it was bizarre because it was exactly that moment. He probably won’t know. There was a very fast corner on the old Österreichring that was called Bosch Turn, downwards. How you drove those Formula Ford cars was very much sliding these cars over all four wheels. The car control he had, I didn’t.”
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He added, “I lacked the go-karting, the possibilities and the testing, because there was not enough funds. This was the moment where I thought ‘I am not going to make it to the top in that sport’.”
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Toto Wolff might not be a splendid race driver, but he sure is a very good Investor and Team Principal. Moreover, the Austrian has won 8 consecutive Constructor’s Titles with Mercedes, demonstrating their sheer dominance.
Life was not always this way for $540m worth Austrian. Wolff grew out of struggles with a positive mindset, making the right decisions. Can Toto help Mercedes regain the top spot again next season?
