Toto Wolff still searching for Mercedes successor to "step back from this madness"

Toto Wolff in the rain — Photo: © LAT Images

Mercedes

Wolff still searching for Mercedes successor to "step back from this madness"

Wolff recently committed himself to Mercedes for three more years

Ian Parkes

Sunday 25 April 2021 08:00

Toto Wolff has confirmed he is still searching for the right person to one day replace him as team principal at Mercedes in order to finally 'step back from the madness' of F1.

At one stage last year it appeared as if Wolff was wavering over his future with the team as time at home with his family due to the Covid-19 pandemic made him appreciate life away from the F1 circus.

Just before Christmas, however, Wolff reaffirmed his commitment to Mercedes by becoming an equal shareholder alongside parent company Daimler and principal partner INEOS, while also signing a new three-year deal as team principal.

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Wolff has revealed to previously sounding out James Allison as his replacement, but after being snubbed by a man who has become chief technology officer after serving for many years as technical director, the hunt continues for the day he will eventually step back.

"James and I speak multiple times every single day and we are totally coordinated on the strategic direction of Mercedes Motorsport and Mercedes Grand Prix," said Wolff.

"So, much earlier than before we decided the CTO role, it must have been a year or two ago, we discussed the future of the team principal role in Mercedes. He made it very clear it was not for him.

"Since then, obviously, I am thinking and I am looking and I am observing what is happening out there and who is doing a good job so finally I can step back from this madness."

After becoming technical director in 2017, Allison announced earlier this month he would begin to step back from his day-to-day duties and hand over the reins to technology director Mike Elliott.

Allison has declared to reaching the end of his “shelf life” in that role and now takes on the CTO position in which he will oversee the technical and strategic approach to the broader scope of Mercedes motorsport.

Wolff added: “James is obviously a huge asset to the team, not only as a brilliant engineer but also as a leader. He has a good understanding and an overview of what is happening in Formula 1 beyond the technical space.

“He is a sparring partner of mine when it comes down to strategic discussions, political discussions and he is getting more involved also with the other departments and racing programs that we have.

“It was almost a logical step to make him my technical twin brother. I am also the head of Mercedes Motorsport so it makes sense to have a technical director for all motorsport. He enjoyed the idea, so we’ve worked on that for a year.”