Toto Wolff wants to 'keep Mercedes job until he's 80' as Lewis Hamilton saga fails to deter him

Toto Wolff wants to 'keep Mercedes job until he's 80' as Lewis Hamilton saga fails to deter him

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Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 21/02/2024

- 10:46

Toto Wolff is set for his biggest challenge at Mercedes this year in trying to replace seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Toto Wolff has admitted he would like to stick around with Mercedes in F1 for "another 30 years" as he gets ready for his final season working with Lewis Hamilton.

Wolff and Hamilton's careers have been intertwined at Mercedes with both joining the team in 2013.


The pair have enjoyed a close relationship together ever since and helped push Mercedes to the very pinnacle of the sport for several years.

But that working relationship will come to an end following the 2024 season when Hamilton makes the switch to Ferrari.

Wolff put to bed rumours of his own future being away from Mercedes earlier this year when he put pen to paper on a new three-year contract.

Toto Wolff has no plans to follow Lewis Hamilton out the door

Toto Wolff has no plans to follow Lewis Hamilton out the door

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And it appears as though Wolff is in it for the long haul with plans to remain a part of the team in some capacity until his 80th birthday.

The 52-year-old made the long commitment in a soon-to-be-released book, 'F1 Racing Confidential'.

“Life is full of surprises,” Wolff said.

“I would never have imagined I would be here or the success of this team.

“I am 52 now. It sounds like an old age but hopefully there are another 30 years of Mercedes F1 for me.

“It's important that when you hand over the baton at 80, you can say: 'That was pretty good.

“I am happy with myself - I met my own expectations of my life'.”

Wolff is undecided on which way the team will go when looking for Hamilton's replacement.

Speaking shortly after Hamilton's agreement with Ferrari was announced, Wolff suggested there could be "unexpected opportunities" to explore.

Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton joined Mercedes in 2023

Toto Wolff and Lewis Hamilton joined Mercedes in 2023

GETTY

“First of all, having George in the seat is great for the team,” he said.

“He’s been going toe to toe with Lewis the last two seasons.

"There was nothing between them and knowing that we have a driver at that level makes the decision for the second seat much more comfortable.

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Toto Wolff wants to remain working with Mercedes

Toto Wolff wants to remain working with Mercedes

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“I haven’t really properly reflected with the team on where we want to go.

"From a rookie to very experienced because I don’t know yet what is the best for any potential driver coming or for the team going forward.

“Let me say if you told me two days ago that Lewis would be going to Ferrari I didn’t think it was possible.

"Situations and things can change quickly. Contracts are only as good as the driver or the teams want to race and who knows what’s happening in the driver market that could be unexpected or opportunities for us.”

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