Wolff says he repeatedly offered to step down as Mercedes boss after 2021
Toto Wolff, head of the Mercedes Formula 1 team, has revealed he offered several times to resign after the 2021 season, but company chief Ola Kallenius refused. This year the team won both the drivers' and constructors' titles.
Toto Wolff, team principal of the Formula 1 team Mercedes, has revealed that in recent years he repeatedly offered the Mercedes-Benz group his resignation. Company chief Ola Kallenius flatly refused each time. Wolff spoke about it at the Golden Steering Wheel awards ceremony in Berlin.
After the 2021 season the team entered a difficult period that lasted four years. Under the new technical regulations the squad's performance dropped and it faced serious problems. Although Wolff is not only team principal but also a shareholder in the Mercedes F1 operation, he was ready to leave his post.
"Over the past years I have offered Ola my resignation several times, but he has always said that I must keep doing this," Wolff said.
This season's success
This year Mercedes again won titles in both the drivers' standings and the Constructors' Cup, securing both several rounds before the end of the season. The team clinched the Constructors' Cup at the race in Brazil, after which the pressure on Wolff finally eased.
The source says Kallenius used his corporate influence to keep Wolff in place and to lead the team out of the crisis.
Asked whether he plans to remain in the role going forward, Wolff pointed to the wishes of the company chief. "Yes – Ola is forcing me to do it," Wolff said jokingly.
