Wolff: "At the time, we threatened our drivers with suspension "
Managing two talented and ambitious drivers is no easy task. Mercedes boss Toto Wolff confided that he was prepared to suspend either driver during the Hamilton/Rosberg era.
Who better than Toto Wolff to talk to us about the latest major rivalry in F1 between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg? The Austrian revealed that at the height of tension, Mercedes was ready to make radical decisions against its duo.
In the British podcast “The High Performance”, Wolff explains that he had to use strong measures to reason with his two drivers whose tension was only worsening.
« It was very difficult because I arrived in the team as a newcomer to Formula 1, and Nico and Lewis had been in the sport much longer than me, said Wolff. « But I was still able to create an environment where they had to respect the team. Sometimes, I had to act with an iron hand, and they understood that they could not let Mercedes down.
Wolff:« I have always said clearly that […] I will not hesitate to make someone miss races »
As early as 2014, with the highlight being the Belgian Grand Prix, the boss of the star-studded company admitted to having threatened his two drivers with suspension for one or more races in the season while they were both fighting for the Championship.
« I have always said clearly that if this were to happen regularly, then I would not hesitate to skip races for someone. What drivers want most is to compete in a car. And you must always be very clear that you get into the car only if you understand the concept of teamwork.
No final sanction, Mercedes on top, Hamilton and Rosberg champions … Winning bet for Wolff
The Austrian declares that this gesture was intended to show young drivers and F1 enthusiasts that the team remains above the driver.
But he doesn’t hide that a suspension of either would have been extremely difficult, especially in finding a replacement of Hamilton and Rosberg’s caliber.
« It’s difficult because there are only two drivers in the team and it’s not easy to find a replacement, let alone a replacement at this level! But I was ready to sacrifice a race or two just to make it clear to all the future generations who will drive for Mercedes that it’s not a given. »
Fortunately, Wolff and Mercedes did not need to go that far, and Mercedes has won all the drivers’ and constructors’ championships since 2014.
Hamilton has equalled or surpassed most of Schumacher’s records to establish himself as the boss of the sport.
As for Nico Rosberg, he is the only driver of the hybrid era to have beaten Sir Lewis.
on the whole of a Championship, fading away at the twilight of Abu Dhabi 2016 after the conquest of the ultimate Grail.
Our two rivals meet today in Extreme E… But on the trackside, as team bosses.
History never stops!
