Toto Wolff: The moment he almost retired from F1 in 2020

As Formula 1 fans well know, the high-speed world of motorsport is ever-changing, with drivers, engineers, and team principals alike needing to adapt or risk falling behind.

In a recent interview with Roberto Chinchero, Mercedes F1 Team Principal Toto Wolff divulged a remarkable moment of reflection in 2020 that changed his perspective on his career and long-term ambitions.

Initially, Wolff had a clear plan in mind – to retire at 49 years old and pursue other interests.

He explained, "My plan, in a way, was to end at 49 years old. The idea I had previously was to do something else, I wouldn't have imagined myself beyond 50 years old in the role of team principal."

With a successful history of buying shares in companies, developing them, and selling the shares for profit, it was only natural that he had the same intention when he ventured into the exhilarating world of Formula 1.

The chaotic year of 2020 brought forth a turning point for the experienced team leader.

For the first time in his life, Wolff realized that he didn't want to sell his stake in the Mercedes F1 team and move on.

Instead, he felt a strong desire to stay put and continue to build upon the successes of his F1 career.

This pivotal moment led to a strategic shift in his approach to the sport.

"In 2020, there was a moment of reflection," Wolff said.

"Something inside me changed; in the past, every project of mine was based on a clear guideline: buy shares in a company, develop it, and then sell the shares, and that was the plan when my adventure in Formula 1 began."

This revelation is a testament to the all-consuming nature of Formula 1 – a sport that demands unwavering dedication and commitment from everyone involved.

"In 2020, I came to the conclusion that for the first time in my life, I wanted to stay where I was, and I changed the strategy," Wolff confessed during the interview.