F1 News: Mercedes exit drama revealed as Toto Wolff delivered X-rated farewell

Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff at the 2023 Bahrain Grand Prix — Photo: © IMAGO

F1 News & Gossip

Mercedes exit drama revealed as Wolff delivered X-rated farewell

Toto Wolff had some stern words for James Vowles as he left for Williams

Originally written by Cal Gaunt. This version is a translation.

Friday 2 February 2024 00:57

James Vowles has revealed the blunt advice Toto Wolff gave him when he left Mercedes for a top job at Williams last year.

Vowles' first season at the struggling team was a qualified success, with Alex Albon pulling some good performances out of the car despite Logan Sargeant's struggles.

Despite being considered as Wolff's potential successor, Vowles opted for the challenge at Williams, and reflecting on his departure, he revealed the straightforward yet humorous advice imparted by Wolff during the transition.

Wolff's X-rated advice

"I think he said, 'Don't be s**t' - [that] was his advice! Which I'm trying to do," he told the High Performance podcast.

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"Other than that, he knows that I've been forming for this for quite a while, so there was little he could provide about it.

"Even today, it's not just him, I would say Fred [Vasseur, Ferrari chief] and Otmar [Szafnauer, former Alpine boss] - before he left - and a few others were guiding voices where I can happily call them, even though they are adversaries.

Vowles later clarified that his decision to depart wouldn't have caught his ex-boss off guard.

Ferrari Mercedes George Russell Toto Wolff Williams Alex Albon