Toto Wolff has been leaking mixed messages about his future this week, but contrary to popular belief what the Mercedes team principal does with his life will not impact the career of the team’s superstar driver Lewis Hamilton.
Asked, after Spanish Grand Prix qualifying, for his thoughts on Wolff’s uncertain future, the pole winner explained, “What you’ve got to remember is that it’s a team of so many people. There’s almost 2,000 people in the team, or something like that. It’s not just down to one person, one individual.
“So yes, that’s not determining whether or not I stay.
“I think what we’ve built… I’ve been a part of growing with this team and growing with that growth. The strength is there through and through, so, as I said, it’s not just one individual. I think everyone has to do what’s best for them.
“What’s best for their career and happiness at the end of the day. I think it’s smart for him. I think everyone needs to sit, take a moment and evaluate what they want to do moving forwards. Whether it suits them and their families and their future dreams.
“We’ve done so much already together in this period of time. I hope he stays because it’s fun working with him, and it’s fun negotiating with him and fun having the up and downs.
“So, I’m truly grateful to Toto and I’ll be fully supportive in whatever he decides to do,” added the World Champion.
Teammate Valtteri Bottas, who owes his time with the team to Wolff, is also towing the corporate line, “Toto has been a really important part of the team and being a big part of helping the team to get to the state where it is now.
“But just like Lewis said, it’s not all about one person, we’re a big team, there are so many important personnel in the team and everyone needs to be able to work together so I really agree that whatever he does, I just hope he makes a decision what he really wants to do and it makes him happy.
“That’s it, that’s what life’s all about: only do things that make you happy, follow your dreams. But of course, it would be a shame to see him go. I have no idea, to be honest, what’s happening in the background.
“I’m just focusing on driving and yes, I would definitely sign with the team even though Toto wasn’t here because, as Lewis said, it’s not about one person but (he’s a) very important man,” added Bottas.
Wolff has been the key architect of the current Mercedes outfit, the most potent and one of the successful teams in the history of Formula 1. Under his watch, they have wrapped up 12 F1 world titles, scored 97 victories and their drivers celebrating on podiums 202 times.