While Toto Wolff is “contemplating” his future as team boss, he insists his intention is to remain at Mercedes.
Speculation over the Austrian’s future has been high for the much of the year, with his contract at the German manufacturer expiring at the end of 2020.
The most recent rumours have suggested Wolff is poised to step down from his position but assume an advisory role akin to that previously held by Niki Lauda.
And Toto admits a key part of his decision will come down to whether he is still the best man to lead the Brackley-based team forward.
“Something I’m really proud of is that we have always transitioned senior members of the team into different roles,” he told The Race.
“I’ve been lucky enough to be at the helm of Mercedes since early 2014. I really enjoy the interaction and working with all of my friends at the Formula 1 team and at Daimler, and this is something I wouldn’t want to miss.
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“Nevertheless, I need to question myself. I don’t want to become a team principal that goes from great to good without realising that he is maybe not adding as much to the team as he did in the beginning.
“I still feel that I can add a lot, but of course I’m contemplating my future.”
Wolff has been quite busy off the track over the past month or so, acquiring stakes both in Aston Martin and now Williams, suggesting he could take more of a backseat role at Mercedes.
“I am in discussion with [Daimler CEO] Ola [Kallenius] about how that goes,” he added. “It is not a simple employment contract but it involves a shareholding, and we are in the midst of the process in carving our joint future.
“I haven’t taken any decision yet, because we haven’t even started racing. So, all these agreements and discussions are happening as we speak.”
One reason why Wolff’s future at Mercedes is often seen as in doubt is rumours of a rift between him and Kallenius, who replaced Deiter Zetsche last year.
“(They are) two very different personalities but with both of whom I have an excellent working relationship, and more than that actually a friendship,” the Austrian insists.
“With Ola, I had quite a laugh when these rumours came up that there was some dysfunctionality in our relationship.
“We are on the phone many times every single week and he is very involved. He is a very good sparring partner for myself that I wouldn’t [want to] miss, in the same way that Dieter was.”
Also, there’s the small matter of Wolff being regularly linked to a future move to Aston Martin, where he would team up with friend Lawrence Stroll.
“On my future, I have bought a few shares in Aston Martin, as a financial investment,” he said.
“I believe in the brand, I think that the strategy that is being deployed makes sense. Tobias Moers the new MD is a guy that I’ve known for a long time, and I believe that he can turn around this business.
“There’s a very strong group of shareholders that are backing Aston Martin today that will not let it down, and therefore I’ve decided to be part of that group.
“My executive functions are unchanged – I’m at Mercedes, I’m the team principal, and I am a shareholder, and it’s clear that when there are no other headlines out there that the Aston Martin thing caused some waves.
“But I’m planning with Mercedes that I have the best intention to stay here and that is unchanged.”
