Wolff: No regrets over missing Russell's Brazilian triumph

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Mercedes boss Toto Wolff wasn't present in Brazil last month to witness George Russell's maiden win in F1, and yet the Austrian was immersed in the action at Interlagos as he watched from afar.

Since taking the reins of the mighty Mercedes outfit in 2014, Wolff has only missed three races in the past nine season, including this year's Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka.

But a packed agenda back in November forced him to miss the fly-away round in Sao Paulo.

However, a veritable replica of his command post in the Mercedes garage had been set up in Wolff's hotel suite in Abu Dhabi and put Wolff at the heart of his team's actions.

©Mercedes

"It was another interesting experience that I didn't think I would have," Wolff told F1.com's Tom Clarkson on the latter's Beyond The Grid podcast.

"I was already in Abu Dhabi, I had some commercial meetings to do there. I sat in the hotel room with the full intercom being built up, so I was able to listen and speak to all the channels I would normally have.

"I had the timing screens built up, the TV feed, so it was literally the same situation like in the garage. I didn't think about being in a hotel, because I just immersed [myself] into the situation."

Read also: Wolff recalls most memorable race with Mercedes team

Both Russell and Mercedes enjoyed a banner weekend in Brazil, with the Briton winning Saturday's sprint event and then dominating Sunday's proceedings, with teammate Lewis Hamilton completing the Brackley squad's single win of 2022.

Wolff admits that his absence on the day provided a well-deserved opportunity for Mercedes' often overlooked leaders – the "heart and soul" of the team as he says - to enjoy a moment in the limelight.

"When we won, Susie said to me, 'Well, I bet you regret not being there,'" Wolff recalled. "And I didn't, actually, not at all, because it is always about me, and the drivers.

"We're giving interviews, we stand in the spotlight, we're taking all the credit for the work that's been done by others.

"Me not being there was a sense of pride, pride of the people that were there and pride of the factories, and me not taking sunshine away [from the others].

"We have Shov [Andrew Shovlin] speaking, and Bradley [Lord] and James [Vowles], and they are the heart and soul of the team.

"I couldn't have felt prouder in that moment, and I couldn't have felt happier for myself, seeing those guys operate the way they did."

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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.