Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has hinted at the introduction of a new management structure after claiming the traditional role of team principal is outdated.
Speculation over the Austrian’s future has been growing for much of this year and back in Barcelona, Wolff admitted he was in a moment of reflection about his next career move as his current contract comes to an end.
Throughout that time, however, Toto has also insisted he would remain at Mercedes and now he has revealed apparent plans to no longer be a ‘team principal’ but still lead at least part of the operation at Brackley.
“I’m not sure that the concept of team principal works in Formula 1 anymore,” Wolff told Channel 4.
“I’m responsible for 2000 people, 1000 in the engine plant and 1000 in the factory, so should really one person burden the whole responsibility and accountability? I’ve loved doing that but maybe with a look into the future we could maybe have the roles split.
“That would probably be the right structure for any organisation but I haven’t properly defined it.”
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Wolff has been at the helm of Mercedes since 2013, and he admits the stress of the job has impacted him health-wise.
“I think if you do it with all you have, all your heart, all your energy…I’ve done that now for eight years,” he said.
“The question is whether that is sustainable. Does your family life suffer? Does your own health suffer from it? I’ve had migraines which is something completely new. Your mind doesn’t cope any more with downtime.
“I believe we all have a shelf life in some roles. I don’t want to become from great to good because then somebody else should take over at this point.
“It is a high level of intensity. What I do and we do is the search for perfection.”