Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says that he should not step down from his position because he is looking for a way to get out of the difficult situation they have fallen into after 2021 .
The Silver Arrows sh suffered a negative outing at the Australian Grand Prix last weekend. The W15 suffered instability in handling, Lewis Hamilton failed to make it to Q3, only to retire in the race due to problems with the moto, and George Russell crashed heavily into the wall.
Although the car showed competitive pace at times in Melbourne, it was not consistent – despite abandoning the zero-sides concept and moving the cockpit backwards for 2024 was partly aimed at creating a more reliable platform.
Wolff believes Mercedes has a physical problem and there is a correlation problem between wind tunnel data and track performance, but says the team has not swallowed the dumb pill since winning the last of its eight constructors’ crowns in 2021.
“As a co-owner of this business, I have to make sure that my contribution is positive and creative,” said the Austrian. “So I’d be the first to say: if anyone has a better idea, tell me. I’m interested in [how to] turn this team around as quickly as possible.”
“I will be happy to contribute and see what it would be, who it could be. But we have a physical problem, not a philosophical or organizational problem, because we haven’t swallowed the stupid pill since 2021.”
“We just don’t understand some of the car’s behavior that we would have always understood in the past.”
It was in response to the question of whether he is still the right person to lead Mercedes, having joined the team as CEO in 2013.
Speaking directly about his future, Wolff – who signed a new three-year contract this year – believes he is not yet at the point where he is considering relinquishing control.
“I look in the mirror every day about everything I do,” he explains.
“If I believed I should ask the manager or the coach a question, I think that’s a fair question, but that’s not what I feel at the moment I should do.”
“But if you have any idea who could turn this around, I’d be happy to hear it.”
“The big difference is that it’s not a managerial issue in the sense of: This is my job and I’m going to quit my job… I don’t have that choice, which is also unfortunate.”
“I am not an entrepreneur or an employee who says: I have had enough of this. My hamster wheel keeps spinning and I can’t jump out,” added the Austrian.
