F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Wolff says three-year commitment to Mercedes is 'misunderstanding'

Toto Wolff says his commitment to Mercedes goes well beyond his extended three-year tenure at the helm of the Brackley squad, with the Austrian feeling "committed to life" to the manufacturer.

Mercedes announced on Friday that principal sponsor INEOS would become a shareholder of the world championship winning team following a restructuring that would see the UK chemical giant, Daimler and Wolff each own a third of the entity.

Additionally, it was announced that Wolff will remain team principal of the Mercedes team for three more years. However, the German manufacturer stated that the Austrian will have "the subsequent opportunity to transition to a new executive function within the organisation when he decides it is the right time to do so".

"That is a misunderstanding," Wolff said, alluding to his three-year extension as team principal of Mercedes. "I haven’t committed to a further three years. I have committed for life!

"We are three shareholders that own the company today, and irrespective of my own role, I could be team principal, CEO, executive chairman, at any time. But Mercedes is what I do."

Earlier this year, Wolff hinted at taking a step back from the day-to-day running of the team that he has guided to a record seven consecutive world Constructors' titles since 2014.

But the 48-year-old will continue to instill the values of governance that have helped produce its outstanding success.

"We have a good and fun environment, it’s a fun place to be, but at the same time, there is just the right amount of pressure," Wolff said.

"We love what we do, we set the right objectives. I think we are living our values day to day. It's all about integrity, loyalty, pride, determination - that’s what sums it up.

"It’s not something you can put on a PowerPoint and say this is how we are, but something we have set as standards over the last eight years."

Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers

Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter

Michael Delaney

Recent Posts

Verstappen set for second row start at Nürburgring 24 Hours

Max Verstappen will launch his long-awaited Nürburgring 24 Hours debut from the second row of…

3 hours ago

Cadillac's Towriss rejects backmarker label: ‘You don’t know much about F1'

Cadillac F1’s arrival on the grid in 2026 has been anything but quiet, and according…

4 hours ago

Alpine adds former FIA aero chief to F1 technical structure

Alpine has strengthened its growing 2026 Formula 1 project by officially welcoming former FIA head…

6 hours ago

When a Williams found its way on to the grid of the Indy 500

The 65th running of the Indy 500 held back in 1981 saw an interesting and…

7 hours ago

Ralf Schumacher: Life in F1 as Michael’s brother often 'unpleasant'

Ralf Schumacher has opened up about the emotional strain he experienced during his F1 career,…

8 hours ago

Bottas reveals how Miami GP car theft triggered FBI investigation

For most Formula 1 drivers, the biggest threat during a Grand Prix weekend comes on…

10 hours ago