Wolff Speaks Out On Not Wanting To Resign As Mercedes Team Principal

Friday, 15 December 2023 at 03:00

Toto Wolff discussed his situation as Mercedes team principal during the period when his team was struggling.

Mercedes F1 team went from winning eight consecutive Constructors' Championship titles to lacking about three-tenths of a second on leading Red Bull that has dominated the season.

The German team made a mistake in the development of the concept suited for 2022 regulations and could not catch up with Red Bull ever since. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff told the media:

“"It's tough because I keep hammering myself. You can say this is a physics problem and not a mystics problem or not an organizational topic."”

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Wolff's team has not totally lost their pace as Silver Arrows achieved third place in 2022 and second place in 2023 in the Constructors' Championship, but Mercedes' only ambition is to win. Wolff continued:

““It’s more that we got the physics wrong. I keep questioning myself and my contribution all the time, because I feel myself as the team, as do many others.”

When asked whether he thinks about resigning sometimes, the Mercedes team principal explained he doesn't, as he sees himself as one of the key contributors that the team needs.

“"No, I don't. Because I still think that I can contribute to the team in my area of expertise. And that is, I think, keeping it together, although I'm very emotional sometimes. But they know me so well, that I have these difficult moments on Sunday night. I can contribute."”

Wolff also shared he hasn't found anybody more suitable for his position, which might sound arrogant to some people. However, it is a reasonable statement because if he believed there was somebody more suitable, he would not be the team's principal.

“"Unfortunately, I haven’t found someone where I would say: 'I think that person has more energy, more drive, more skill and all of these factors that I believe are important to be a Team Principal."”

The Austrian recently revealed his team is making significant progress with the development of their 2024 car in simulations. Do you think Mercedes could return next season and challenge Red Bull for the title?