TEAM BOSS OF THE YEAR
A resounding victory in this category for the leader of F1’s pre-eminent team. The group has seemingly grown in confidence and stature with each championship double, and although the effort has clearly taken a toll, it’s also clear to see Toto is determined to keep his team on top. He has become addicted to winning.
It would be easy to glance at the Mercedes setup and think Wolff is simply riding the crest of the wave created by predecessor Ross Brawn’s early investment in V6 engine technology, coupled with yearly bundles of cash from Mercedes’ parent company Daimler. But that belittles the enormous effort of the team to keep successfully reinventing the wheel year after year, and the efforts of Toto to instil a culture in the team which strives to be the best without ever believing it is.
Wolff is not only the race team’s figurehead, but also its chief political and commercial negotiator. He must keep finding new partners to reduce the financial pressure on Daimler – see the recent buy-in from 2020 newcomer INEOS – while simultaneously managing day-to-day racing operations, being front and centre at grands prix, managing the drivers, and this year successfully negotiating new commercial terms with F1 itself.
Toto has had to cope without Niki Lauda, and with rule changes designed to dethrone Mercedes, but it’s a testament to Wolff’s own will to win, and the winning culture he has inspired and reinforced within the team, that Mercedes continues to find new ways to raise the bar.
Lewis Hamilton talks about how vital Wolff is to his own feelings of contentment within Mercedes, while technical chief James Allison calls Wolff the best boss he’s ever had in F1.
That’s a proper vote of confidence.
“Thank you for this recognition. It’s very humbling to be named best team principal, because ultimately my job is very easy: I’m very fortunate to work with a large group of incredibly talented and passionate people who are at the heart of this great team. Together, we’ve written motorsport history and I see this award as a recognition of all their hard work.”
Toto Wolff, team principal and CEO