Wolff offers insight into personal Aston Martin investment

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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says his recent investment in Aston Martin was justified by the company's depressed stock price relative to the prospects he sees for the legendary sportscar manufacturer.

It was revealed earlier this month that that Wolff had personally invested approximately £37 million in Aston Martin Lagonda, a stake representing a holding in the company of less than 1%.

The Austrian's involvement with Aston has been the source of much speculation since his close friend and Racing Point owner Lawrence Stroll put together a consortium of investors that provided a crucial influx of cash to the company, with Stroll himself named as executive chairman of Aston Martin.

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"The stock is very low right now and the new product line is great," Wolff told Austrian paper Österreich.

"It is a personal financial investment in an automobile manufacturer that has nothing to do with Formula 1. And after Corona [coronavirus] there will be a return to normal when people will buy cars again."

Wolff made clear that the deal sat well with Mercedes, whose parent company Daimler also holds a stake in Aston Martin.

"We will supply our new engines to the new Aston Martin F1 team, and we will do the same for the manufacturer's production cars.

"The Aston Martin road cars have Mercedes engines. Daimler also holds a five percent stake in Aston Martin."

As for the rumors linking Wolff to an executive role at Aston martin, the Mercedes boss borrowed a quote from his old friend, the late Niki Lauda: "Total bullshit!"

Reverting to Formula 1, Wolff says the prospect of the sport starting its season in Austria is great "great news".

"If the decision-makers in Austria find a concept for the start of the season with the necessary safety measures, that would be incredibly positive news for Formula 1 and for Austria," he said.

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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.