After a modest career as a driver, where the biggest victory was a first place (in his category) at the 1994 Nürburgring 24 Hours, Toto Wolff is currently one of the most recognizable faces and one of the most important personalities in Formula 1.
Team leader and CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, Wolff, now 49 years old, is considered by many to be one of the greatest leaders in the history of Formula 1, or was he not one of those responsible for the seven world titles of constructors silver arrows team, a unique achievement in the more than 70 years of Formula 1 history.
In an exclusive Razão Automóvel, we spoke with the Austrian executive and discussed topics as different as the future of Formula 1, which Toto believes passes through sustainable fuels and the importance of motor sport for manufacturers.
But we also touched on more sensitive issues, such as Valtteri Bottas' bad start to the season, Lewis Hamilton's future in the team and Red Bull Racing's moment, which Toto considers to have an advantage.
And of course, of course, we talked about the upcoming Grand Prix of Portugal, which is basically the reason that motivated this interview with the "boss" of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, which he owns in equal parts with INEOS and Daimler AG, one-third of the team's shares.
Automobile Ratio (RA) — Created one of the most successful teams in the history of sport, in a category where there are usually cycles and teams break after some time. What is the big secret behind the success of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas team?
Toto Wolff (TW) — Why does a cycle end? Lessons from the past tell me it's because people let their motivation and energy levels sink. Focus shifts, priorities shift, everyone wants to capitalize on success, and sudden big changes in regulations leave the team exposed and others at an advantage.
This is something we've discussed for a long time: what has to prevail? When you go to the casino, for example, and the red comes out seven times in a row, it doesn't mean that the eighth time it's going to come out black. It may come out red again. So every year, every team has a chance to win again. And it's not based on any weird cycle.
Cycles come from factors such as people, qualities and motivations. And we, so far, have been successful in maintaining that. But this does not guarantee that you will win every championship you participate in. That doesn't exist in sport or in any other business.
RA — Is it easy to keep everyone motivated, year after year, or is it necessary to create small goals over time?
TW — It's not easy to get motivated year after year because it's very simple: if you dream of winning and then you win, that's overwhelming. All human beings are equal, the more you have, the less special it becomes. I think it's very important that we remember at all times how special it is. And we've been lucky in the past.
Toto WolffDrivers make a big difference if you have two practically identical cars.
Every year we were 'awakened' by defeats. And suddenly we thought: I don't like this, I don't like to lose. It's very painful. But you think again about what you have to do to overcome this negative feeling. And the only solution is to win.
We're in a good position, but when I hear myself say that, I start thinking: ok, you're already thinking that we're the 'biggest' again, aren't we. You have to remember that you can't take anything for granted, because others are doing a good job.
RA — In this season start, Red Bull Racing is showing itself stronger than in previous years. In addition, Max Verstappen is more mature than ever and the “Czech” Pérez is a fast and very consistent driver. Do you think this could be the hardest time in the last five years?
TW There were some tough seasons. I remember 2018, for example, with Ferrari and Vettel. But in this boot I see a car and a power unit that seem to be superior to the Mercedes 'package'. This has not happened in the past.
There were races where we weren't the fastest, but at the start of the season we see that they are setting the pace. It's something we need to reach and overcome.
RA — Is it at a time like this, where they don't have the fastest car, that Lewis Hamilton's talent can make a difference again?
TW — Drivers make a big difference if you have two practically identical cars. Here they have a young driver who is emerging and is clearly an exceptional talent.
And then there is Lewis, who is seven times world champion, record holder in race wins, record holder in pole positions, with the same number of titles as Michael Schumacher, but who is still going strong. That's why it's an epic fight.
RA — The season has not started well for Valtteri Bottas and he seems to be getting further and further away from asserting himself. Do you think he's increasingly accusing the pressure of having to 'show service'?
TW — Valtteri is a very good driver and an important person within the team. But over the past few weekends he hasn't been well. We have to understand why we can't give him a car he feels comfortable with. I'm trying to find explanations for that and for us to be able to give him the tools he needs to be faster, which is something he does.
RA — With the budget ceiling already in place in 2021 and which will gradually decrease over the next few years, and Mercedes-AMG Petronas being one of the biggest teams, it will also be one of the most affected. What kind of impact do you think this will have on the competition? Will we see Mercedes-AMG entering other categories to redistribute its employees?
TW It's a great question. I think the budget ceiling is important because it protects us from ourselves. The hunt for lap times has reached unsustainable levels, in which you invest millions and millions of euros in a 'game' of tenths of a second. Budget ceilings will reduce differences in 'performance' between teams. And this is very good. The competition needs to be balanced. I don't think the sport can handle a team that is champion 10 times in a row.
Toto WolffI'm not sure if they will be synthetic fuels (to be used in Formula 1), but I think they will be sustainable fuels.
But at the same time we fight for it. In terms of the distribution of people, we are looking at all categories. We have Formula E, whose team we have since moved to Brackley, where they already work. We have our engineering 'arm', called Mercedes-Benz Applied Science, where we work on competition boats for INEOS, bicycles, vehicle dynamics projects and drone taxis.
We found interesting activities for people that exist in their own right. They generate profits and give us different perspectives.
RA — Do you believe that there is any possibility of Formula 1 and Formula E coming closer in the future?
TW I don't know. This is a decision that has to be made by Liberty Media and Liberty Global. Of course, city events like Formula 1 and Formula E can help reduce costs. But I think this is a purely financial decision that has to be taken by those responsible for both categories.
RA — We recently saw Honda say it doesn't want to continue betting on Formula 1 and we saw BWM leave Formula E. Do you think some manufacturers no longer believe in motorsports?
TW I think builders come and go. We saw that in Formula 1 with BMW, Toyota, Honda, Renault… Decisions can always change. Companies are always evaluating the marketing power that sport has and the image transfer it allows. And if they don't like it, it's easy to leave.
These decisions can be made very quickly. But for teams that are born to compete, it's different. At Mercedes, the focus is on competing and having cars on the road. Mercedes' first car was a competition car. And that is why it is our main activity.
RA — Do you think synthetic fuels will be the future of Formula 1 and motorsport?
TW — I'm not sure if it will be synthetic fuels, but I think it will be sustainable fuels. More biodegradable than synthetic fuels, because synthetic fuels are very expensive. The development and production process is complex and very expensive.
So I see much more of the future going through sustainable fuels based on other ingredients. But I think that if we are going to continue using internal combustion engines, we have to do it with sustainable fuels.
RA — This is the second consecutive year that Portugal has hosted Formula 1. What do you think of the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, in Portimão, and what do you think of our country?
TW — I really like Portimão. I know the circuit from my DTM times. I remember that we took Pascal Wehrlein's first Formula 1 test there in a Mercedes. And now, going back to a Formula 1 race was really good. Portugal is a fantastic country.
I really want to return to the country in a normal environment, because there is so much to see and do. From a racing point of view, it's a really good track, fun to drive and fun to watch.
RA — What kind of difficulties does this route pose for pilots? Was it especially difficult to prepare for last year's race, as there are no references from previous years?
TW — Yes, that was challenging, preparing a new track and a circuit with ups and downs. But we liked it. It forces more spontaneous decision making, based on data and more reaction. And this year will be the same. Because we don't have the accumulated data from other years. The asphalt is very specific and the track design is very different from what we know.
We have three races with very different layouts in this season start, let's see what follows.
RA — But looking at the layout of the Portuguese Grand Prix, do you think it is a circuit where the Mercedes-AMG Petronas car can appear strong?
TW It's hard to say right now. I think Red Bull Racing has been very strong. We saw Lando Norris (McLaren) do an amazing qualifying at Imola. Ferraris are close behind. Potentially you have two Mercedes, two Red Bull, two McLaren and two Ferrari. It's all very competitive and that's good.
RA — Going back to 2016, how was managing the relationship between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg? Was it one of the biggest challenges of your career?
TW — The hardest thing for me was the fact that I was new to the sport. But I liked the challenge. Two very strong personalities and two characters who wanted to be world champions. In Lewis's defense, we didn't give him the most solid material this year. He had several engine failures, one of them while leading in Malaysia, which could have given him the championship.
But I think we didn't do well in the last few races. We tried to prevent a negative outcome and keep them at bay, but that wasn't necessary. We should have just let them drive and fight for the championship. And if it ended in a collision, then it ended in a collision. We were too controlling.
RA — The contract renewal with Lewis Hamilton caught a lot of people by surprise as it was only for one more year. Was this the desire of both parties? Does this mean that if Hamilton wins an eighth time this year this could be the last season of his career?
TW — It was important for both parties. For him, it was important to leave him this margin for him to decide what he wants to do with his career. Seven world titles, equaling Michael Schumacher's record, is incredible. But trying the absolute record, I think it was important for him to have the mental freedom to decide what he wants to do.
But between fighting for an eventual ninth title or having the rematch if he doesn't manage to win this one, I think he'll stay with us for a while. And we want to have him in the car. There is so much more to achieve.
The “great circus” of Formula 1 returns to Portugal — and to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, in Portimão — this Friday, with the first free practice session scheduled for 11:30 am. On the link below you can check all the times so that you don't miss anything from the Portuguese stage of the Formula 1 World Cup.