“I don’t want to drop a date” – Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff refused to divulge details when asked about Lewis Hamilton’s contract extension beyond 2020.
The Mercedes F1 team principal Toto Wolff is in a good space at the moment. The Constructors’ Championship has been won, and it is highly likely the Drivers’ title will be taken by his driver Lewis Hamilton at Istanbul.
The question on everyone’s lips now is whether he will continue with the German team beyond this season. His boss Toto Wolff was asked about it, who maintained that any deal will be agreed only after both titles are won. One down, another to go.
“I don’t want to drop a date here because if I do everybody is going to ask at every single race.”
“But this is what we agreed. I think it was important to make sure that we have both titles secured and then have a more relaxed approach to the discussion about the future.”
“We would like him in the car and I think he wants to drive the Mercedes because it is competitive. So, of course, there is a good balance.”
Will Toto Wolff continue as the Mercedes team principal?
Wolff, of course, was asked about his own future as well. He is yet to commit to his future as the Mercedes team principal. This in spite of stating it himself a few months back that the ‘threesome’ of Valterri Bottas, Hamilton, and himself is here to stay. In F1, things happen very quickly, clearly, on and off the tarmac.
“I believe that each of us has a certain shelf-life as a team principal. It is not sustainable to do a few hundred races and be the best you that started on the journey. It is a job that involves being in an airplane for 20 or so races and then coming back on Monday, you have an office job. I did 250-odd air miles last year and 500 hours of flying and it is something I don’t want to do for the rest of my life.”
Toto Wolff however, clarified, that he will not leave the team, more so because of his status as a team owner. He also listed down the qualities they’re looking at to choose his successor, and also added he will transition the role to him/her from a senior role he will undertake. When asked if the successor has been identified, Wolff chose to tease with a “maybe”.
“But I take enjoyment in what I do and I certainly don’t want to step away from the Mercedes team. I am a co-owner with Mercedes, it is something I am very proud of.”
“I believe that I should hand over the baton to somebody who will start his journey with the same motivation and energy as when I started. That is a natural progression we have done on a technical level over the years and I will be very proud seeing somebody performing better than I do and I will be watching that from a different, more senior role.”
