Allison hopes 'fantastic leader' Wolff remains with Mercedes

Mercedes technical director James Allison hopes team boss Toto Wolff remains at the helm of the Brackley squad "for many years to come".

Wolff is currently pondering his future beyond the current season, revealing that talks with Daimler chairman Ola Källenius were going in the right direction regarding the Austrian remaining with Mercedes.

However, Wolff could relinquish his team principal role and accept a more senior position with Mercedes that would allow him to take the occasional break from F1.

"I am happy that my relationship with Ola is probably as good as it can be, and we speak almost every day and there are many factors that make me want to stay in F1," said Wolff in Barcelona.

"On the other side, it takes a toll, and this plays into my under consideration. But as it stands there is no reason not to continue with Mercedes, and we will find out in which role."

• Hamilton won't decide future based on Wolff's plans

Allison hopes the man who has guided Mercedes to six consecutive constructors' and drivers' titles will remain onboard for the foreseeable future.

"I think none of us would for a moment underestimate the importance of Toto to this team," Allison he told Channel 4.

"He brings, and has brought a stability over many years and a challenge for all of us to aim for those absolute highest possible standards.

"And that standard never, ever relents in where it’s set, but it’s done with humour, fairness, and with a degree of kindness which makes the team an extremely enjoyable place to work.

"Internally he is a fantastic leader, externally he protects us from the shark pit that F1 can be sometimes.

"He has been, I’d say, one of the most important pillars of the success of this team and I hope he is with us for many years to come."

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