Toto Wolff has been the team principal of the Mercedes F1 team for the past 10 years, but initially, he had no plans to have this extensive stint with the German manufacturer.
Wolff joined the Mercedes F1 team in 2013 and just after a year the sport entered the turbo hybrid era and the team has ever since dominated the sport.
He enjoyed success at the Brackley-based teams with 8 back-to-back constructors’ titles and 7 Drivers’ Championship titles. Out of these 6 titles were won by the Mercedes star Lewis Hamilton and one was won by his arch-nemesis Nico Rosberg in 2016.
But when Wolff had signed the contract with Mercedes, he was not banking on going beyond three years with the team.
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Toto Wolff turned his fortune with the Silver Arrows
Before signing a deal with Mercedes, Wolff was the executive director of the Williams F1 team. He had also bought shares of the Williams team and had joined its board of directors in 2009.
Later in 2012, Wolff was named the executive director of the Williams F1 team. He then moved to Mercedes in the same role and was presented with a 3-year contract and a 30% stake in the team.
At the time the deal was that when the project is done[after 3 years]he would sell his shares back to Mercedes.
But when the team developed and found a route to success the contract between both parties continued even further. Although, even after the contract extension Wolff said that it was a project.
It was not until 2020 that he was able to draw a conclusion that he actually enjoyed the business aspect of the sport.
Toto Wolff has said that if you were free at the end of 2024, he would be delighted to welcome you at Mercedes. Would you agree to go?
Charles (surprised): “2024 is a long time away and there is still a little time left at Ferrari. This team has always been my dream.”#LÉquipe pic.twitter.com/bi5aSppVoe
— tami. (@Vettelectlerc) November 22, 2022
Wolff fires warning at Red Bull and Ferrari
In the 2022 season, Mercedes did not step on the right side of the technical regulations and instead came up with their problem child ‘W13’.
The W13 saw the end of the domination of the Mercedes F1 team and the team finished P3 in the championship standings.
However, over the season, the team was able to find a solution to their problems and improved. Heading into the new season, Wolff hopes to be in contention for titles and fight at the top with Red Bull and Ferrari.
Speaking to the Times, he warned, “Do not write us off. In this life, you never stop giving it everything.”
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