Wolff Changes Decision To Miss Japanese Grand Prix And Flies To Suzuka

Mercedes' team principal, Toto Wolff, changed his decision to miss the 2024 Japanese Grand Prix and will reportedly be present at the circuit during the whole weekend.

Toto Wolff was initially expected to miss the fourth round of the 2024 season that is taking place this week at Suzuka Circuit in Japan.

It wouldn't have been the first time the 52-year-old missed a Grand Prix weekend. Last season, he wasn't physically present during two weekends due to knee surgery recovery.

The decision to be absent from the race weekend in Japan was reported to have been made before the start of the 2024 season. As is usual in this circumstance, the team principal would work from home and be connected to his team through a call.

The 2023 calendar included 22 race weekends, and many drivers and their teams complained about how exhausting it was at the end.

Apparently, many engineers even fell sick from constant work, busy schedules, and pressure on their bodies from traveling and changes in time zones.

The 2024 season is going to be even longer and more challenging, with 24 race weekends and 30 races in total (including race weekends). Consequently, F1 teams decided to rotate personnel at various race weekends to protect their health and well-being.

The Mercedes team principal was probably now an exception to this change. However, according to Sky Sports, he apparently decided to reverse his decision to miss the race weekend. Wolff himself hasn't yet commented on this.

While he will most probably elaborate on this decision later on, it has been suggested that this has to do with Mercedes's current underwhelming performance.

Silver Arrows are also set to introduce their first upgrade of the season in Japan, but it isn't expected to significantly change their position in the pecking order.