The Mercedes crew will not have Toto Wolff with them when they visit the Suzuka International Circuit.
Toto Wolff, the principal of the Mercedes team, will not compete in the Japanese Grand Prix in two weeks due to a terrible weekend for the Silver Arrows in Australia.
Wolff will no longer be in the Suzuka International Circuit garage. Nevertheless, this choice was made in advance of the season and has nothing to do with Mercedes’ poor start to the calendar.
The Austrian will miss the Japanese Grand Prix for the second straight season. Wolff had knee surgery in 2023, which kept him out of the races in Qatar and Suzuka.
The eight-time world champions have had an incredibly difficult start to the season and, going into the fourth round of the competition in Japan, are only just ahead of Aston Martin in the Constructors’ Championship standings.
With George Russell retiring from the race on the very last lap and Lewis Hamilton experiencing an engine failure on lap 17, Sunday’s Australian Grand Prix was especially difficult for the team.
Concerns have been raised concerning Wolff’s long-term future as the Brackley team principal as Mercedes has struggled to get off to a slow start for the third consecutive year.
He said, “I look at myself in the mirror every single day about everything I do and it is a fair question,” in response to the rumors that circulated following the tragedy in Melbourne.
Nevertheless, I don’t think I should leave at this time. I would, however, be happy to hear your suggestions for someone who could make this better.”
After the first three rounds, Wolff is not the only one who has doubts about themselves. “After getting a DNF in Melbourne, I’ve never had a worse start to a season,” Hamilton remarked. “2009 wasn’t any better.
“Having so much work over the winter months takes a toll on team morale for everyone. If you enter the room feeling eager, focused, and driven and expecting to win, that isn’t the case.”
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