Mercedes post age-defying tribute to Wolff on birthday

It's been a week of celebration at Mercedes, with birthdays for two of their biggest names - the team celebrating Toto Wolff's birthday on Friday.

Lewis Hamilton turned 39 on Sunday, but the team have had to move on quickly to commemorate their boss' 52nd birthday. Or as they put it, his '49+3' birthday.

The Mercedes X account was keen to show much love to their boss, giving him a birthday message as part of a post featuring multiple pictures of him, including driving the historic W196 F1 car from 1954 and 1955 that helped collect two world championships for Juan Manuel Fangio.

The team also posted a montage celebrating Wolff's happier moments from down the years with the team, who he has helped deliver eight constructors' championships and seven drivers' world championships.

READ MORE: Toto Wolff: An inspiring journey from early tragedy to F1 greatness

Stopping short of a milestone

Whether it was a slight dig at his advancing years, or a metaphor for a legendary boss in a legendary car, the one thing that perhaps was not as clear cut was his age.

While Wolff turned 52 on Friday, the Mercedes post referred to him as just being 49+3, in an attempt to perhaps stop the ageing process in a landmark experiment by the team.

As we know age is no barrier if the talent remains - just ask Fernando Alonso, who is still regarded as one of the best drivers well into his 40s.

But we wait with bated breath if this new approach to fighting the ageing process from Mercedes works out. A double title success at the end of 2024 and we may all start taking notes.

Happy Birthday Boss 🥳 49 + 3 today! 🎉😉 pic.twitter.com/dNNwdi2c8o

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) January 12, 2024

Never a dull moment with the Boss 🐺 pic.twitter.com/5HFhwzFomb

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) January 12, 2024

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