Mercedes has seen better days – from dominating the grid to struggling behind Red Bull, McLaren, and Ferrari under the new ground effect car design regulations. Team boss Toto Wolff, who joined Mercedes AMG F1 in January 2013, openly discusses his uncertain future and the challenges ahead.
Wolff recently acknowledged his desire to scale back his involvement, aspiring to attend only 15 races annually as the F1 calendar continues to grow. Last season, he missed the Japanese and Qatar Grands Prix recovering from knee surgery, with his deputy Jerome D’Ambrosia stepping in. However, D’Ambrosia is now leaving for Ferrari, and the team’s struggles have compelled Wolff to remain more hands-on.
Despite signing a new three-year contract in January, Wolff has expressed his willingness to step down if someone more capable comes along. “I’m not going to try to hang on to a position that I think somebody is going to do better than me,” Wolff stated. He continues to introspect, questioning if he is still the right person for the job, especially given the team’s current form, which sees them trailing not just Red Bull but also Ferrari and McLaren.
Wolff revealed that he and co-owners Ineos and Mercedes-Benz AG have yet to identify a successor. “I am going to stay a co-owner of this business, whether I am team principal or CEO or chairman,” he emphasized. He admits to regularly questioning his abilities and wondering if there might be someone better suited for his role, citing that it could be due to others having “more energy, more intelligence, more knowledge, or more compassion.”
Recent months have seen a ‘brain drain’ at Mercedes, with key figures like Luca Serra also departing for Ferrari. Added to this, their performance director has made similar moves, raising questions about the stability within the team.
In Monaco, Wolff spoke about his future, acknowledging that while he would like to reduce his presence, the timing isn’t right. “That day will come, but jointly [with co-owners] we have not identified who the next person will be. I still love it. Maybe one day I wake up and I don’t love it.” He also acknowledged the unpredictable nature of his job, saying, “There might be a stone falling on my head and I am not team principal anymore. But this is the destiny I am choosing with my co-shareholders.”
Mercedes has only managed one win since their epic 2021 battle with Red Bull, with George Russell securing victory at the Brazilian Grand Prix during his first year with the team. Lewis Hamilton, on the other hand, is experiencing a winless streak that dates back to the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. However, at the recent Monacan Grand Prix, Mercedes showed some promise with Hamilton topping the time sheets in Free Practice 1 and coming second in Free Practice 2. Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen struggled, failing to make the top 10 fastest times in the first session.
Interestingly, Mercedes arrived in Monaco with a revised front wing, but only one was available. It was given to George Russell, who is currently ahead of Hamilton in the driver standings. Hamilton opted out of taking the new upgrade, fearing he might crash during qualifying and fall behind due to Parc Fermé rules, which wouldn’t allow him to revert to the old front wing once qualifying started.
Max Verstappen, who had a dominant last season, seems to be struggling with his 2024 RB20. At Imola, he failed to top the time sheets in any practice session, narrowly clinching pole position due to a lucky tow from Nico Hulkenberg. In Monaco, Verstappen again found himself struggling, finishing fourth in the second practice session, half a second behind Charles Leclerc.
Toto Wolff’s future at Mercedes remains uncertain as the team navigates through a tough season. While he contemplates a reduced role, the timing and choice of his successor remain undecided. The challenges ahead for Mercedes are significant, both on and off the track.
