The heartbreaking story of poverty and loneliness hidden behind the smile of Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff

What is the key to Mercedes’ dominance? The answers are many. It’s Lewis Hamilton, it’s also her car and her finances, among other things. But the circle that revolves around the three silver lines and brings them together to form the Silver Arrows is their team boss Toto Wolff.

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But for the first time in almost a decade, Wolff’s rule is in danger.

But does he feel the pressure? No not at all.

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In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, Wolff untangled many things.

He argued that the pressures he faces in his job as a team principal cannot be compared to the trauma of his early life.

“Compared to my childhood, my youth, the struggles I had to go through, it’s just fun because what happened in my early life left permanent scars.”

Formula 1 F1 – Portuguese Grand Prix – Algarve International Circuit, Portimao, Portugal – Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff praises FIA / Handout over REUTERS

The Austrian stated that despite his success and the nature of his job, he still finds it difficult to let go of the haunted years of his early life.

“I still wake up dreaming that I was alone. It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a kid. It can happen anytime. It’s not about pressure, not about the job. “

When Formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton crosses the finish line, the cameras usually pan to Toto Wolff, who is cheering behind the scenes.

Wolff is the Austrian CEO & Head of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport.

That’s his story

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– Polina (@polina_marinova) October 6, 2021

Toto Wolff has taken control of Mercedes and his own life

Due to the illness and the early death of his father, Wolff learned early on in his life how important it is to be independent.

“I remember when I was 14 I thought I wanted to be responsible for myself, I didn’t want to be dependent on anyone, I knew that I couldn’t rely on anyone.”

When Toto Wolff switched to Mercedes, the team finished fifth in the constructors’ championship. He came from Williams where he was a shareholder and executive director.

At the end of his first year in office, Mercedes jumped from fifth to second place in 2014. And since then nobody has finished before them.

Toto Wolff’s Mercedes has won seven double titles in a row, creating an era of dominance for the history books.

A chance for life

Red Bull, the team from Wolff’s native Austria, is the David who gets stronger every race to beat Mercedes’ Goliath.

With four races to go, many predict that Christian Horner’s Red Bull will end Mercedes’ dominance.

Formula 1 F1 – Bahrain Grand Prix – Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain – March 26, 2021 Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff with Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner during the FIA ​​/ Handout press conference via REUTERS

And they might end up doing it. After all, they are on the forefoot.

But holding Red Bull to the checkered flag in Abu Dhabi will be an official stamp for the title of the greatest team and the greatest era in Formula 1 history.

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When Toto Wolff came to Mercedes in 2013, Williams team principal Sir Frank Williams said: “Toto has a long history with you and I certainly wouldn’t stand in his way to take this unique opportunity.”

It has indeed proven to be a unique opportunity for Wolff and Mercedes.

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But winning this season is another chance of a lifetime that Toto Wolff wants to seize. This cannot alleviate the trauma of his past, but it will cement him as a legend of the sport.