Wolff praises Zetsche for unwavering support through thick and thin

Mercedes AMG F1 boss Toto Wolff paid tribute on Sunday to outgoing Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche, whose never-failing support helped the manufacturer survive its unsuccessful years in F1.

Zetsche, who will step down from his management positions at Mercedes-Benz next week, was present in Barcelona to witness the team's fifth consecutive clean sweep.

Mercedes' dominance of Grand Prix racing has been in place since the advent of the hybrid era in F1 in 2014. But the manufacturer's preceding four years in the sport were anything but hegemonic.

Indeed, there were times when the Mercedes board questioned its involvement at the pinnacle of motor sport, and Zetsche was the man who largely kept things going.

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"There are not many CEOs that have empowered a group of people like you did," Wolff said, addressing Zetsche directly in yesterday's post-race presser.

"Leaving us on the long leash, letting us represent this fantastic brand. And we did it with pride and with great responsibility.

"You went through a storm in 2010, 11 and '12 when the car was going backwards and even in '13 it was not always great.

"And you stuck to Formula 1 as a CEO of Daimler like no other corporate has ever done, and now we are harvesting this and it's great to see you up there.

"You deserve all the credit. You have built the structure."

Spanish Grand Prix winner Lewis Hamilton, who conquered four of his five world titles with Mercedes also heaped praise on the 66-year-old German executive.

The Brit recalled how Zetsche had influenced his career, from joining McLaren to Hamilton's bold decision to leave the Woking-based out for the Silver Arrows squad at the end of 2012.

"He’s been a massive supporter of mine since I was 13," Hamilton said.

"He was there in the decision-making process of taking me on as a kid, when I started and went to McLaren.

"He was part of the decision-making process of when I got a Formula 1 drive in 2007, and then joining this team again, and then every year on from then when we had to re-sign.

"This is his last race with us, and I just want to say a big thank you to him."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.