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Wolff: Carey replacement rumors fueled by someone's 'agenda'

Mercedes AMG F1 boss Toto Wolff says the recent speculation that he could replace Chase Carey as Formula 1's CEO in the future may have been created to suit someone's agenda.

The rumors emerged back in May when it was brought to light that Wolff's current contract with Mercedes ends at the end of 2020, when Carey's tenure with Liberty is also set to conclude.

Wolff has dismissed the gossip and believes the hearsay was perhaps the nefarious work of someone whose interest it may have been to generate such a rumor, if only to pin fears of a potential conflict of interest on the Austrian's back as he negotiates with F1 on behalf of Mercedes for the 2021 regulations.

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"I wonder who put my name out there?" Wolff told Motorsport.com.

"Maybe there is an agenda about putting my name out to actually trigger skepticism. But interestingly, none of that is happening and I haven’t applied for a job.

"I am in a really happy place at Mercedes.

"I enjoy my role representing one of the best brands in the world and, having been given the autonomy to run the team in the best interest for Mercedes, as a partner of Mercedes, I really enjoy the relationships within the team, and the relationship with my Daimler friends.

"Fundamentally I am a lap time person. I like the competition. So whatever is being put out there by somebody is not coming from me, and it is not reflecting the situation."

Regardless of who ends up with the reins of Formula 1 in the future, Wolff insists it will be an exciting assignment.

"The sport is a super exciting property," added the 47-year-old Mercedes boss.

"It is one of the big global sports properties and I think we have a real chance to make it the biggest spectacle in the world if we continue to develop what F1 stands for.

"We need to embrace our current audiences and fans, and potential audiences that we haven’t tapped yet, plus embrace new technology.

"I hope very much that, as a Mercedes team principal and Mercedes shareholder, we and all the other teams can benefit from the growth of F1."

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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.