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Newsweek
a day ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Toto Wolff Makes Strong Ferrari Statement Amid Fred Vasseur Rumors
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff addressed the never-ending rumors claiming Ferrari will fire team principal Fred Vasseur. After a preseason filled with hype and anticipation, Ferrari fell flat at the start of the season. They struggled to secure wins or podium finishes, although the Italian team has taken steps to improve throughout the season. Still, the team isn't in the race for either championship and remains on the hunt for their first win. Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur and Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff, attend the Team Principals Press Conference during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on August 30,... Ferrari Team Principal Frederic Vasseur and Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff, attend the Team Principals Press Conference during practice ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Italy at Autodromo Nazionale Monza on August 30, 2024 in Monza, Italy. More Photo byFerrari faces high expectations every season as it looks to stop the lingering title drought. The leadership of the team is known for being impatient with its team principal, and the team's poor form in Vasseur's third season at the helm isn't helping his case with the board. "It seems to be a bit of a revolving door with teams generally," Wolff told "I think in F1, you can't buy time, and you need to give senior leadership the time to get on top of things. "Look at us. I'm not enjoying being in a phase that it's the third year in a row that we are not fighting for a championship. We're not useless. We have really good weekends. We're winning races. It's respectable at times. "And when it's not good, nobody's questioning in a way whether the top guy is doing a good job or not. Leave him the space. Let him do [things]. They need to just let them do [things]." The Scuderia added Lewis Hamilton to its driver lineup, creating one of the best duos on the grid. Additionally, they introduced a fresh concept to their car, with the hopes of capitalizing on the current regulations' final year. Wolff believes in Vasseur's leadership amid Ferrari's issues this season and thinks it is only a matter of time before he turns things around. "Fred is one of the best racing managers that I know," Wolff said. "If I wasn't here, I would take Fred. So, I respect him a lot. He's a great personality. He's a straightforward guy. He doesn't do politics and lies. He knows what he's talking about. "He just needs to be given the trust to run this. He's perfectly aware that in Italy, it's like managing the football national team. You're going to have the scrutiny from the media. "Maybe that's something you need to grow a little bit of a thick skin, because if he wins, he is Jesus Christ, and if you lose, you're a loser. That's how Italy is. That's fantastic. "That's the passion that is in there. You've got to embrace that. Maybe that's something he needs to learn. But the rest, he should be given the confidence in running this team. They won't get anybody better."
Newsweek
a day ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Mercedes Chief Toto Wolff Reveals Dating Advice to Lewis Hamilton
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has opened up about his friendship with Lewis Hamilton, revealing how the seven-time Formula One world champion still maintains relationships despite shifting to Ferrari. Wolff also admitted that he offers Hamilton dating advice whenever his opinion is needed. Hamilton parted ways with Mercedes after the 2024 season to fulfill his dream of racing for the iconic red team. The 12-year partnership with the Brackley-based outfit resulted in friendships that extend beyond his stint with Mercedes. Wolff's friendship with Hamilton isn't a secret. The strong bond between the two remained despite the Briton's shock announcement of exiting Mercedes early last year. Wolff explained how the rapport continues even though they are now rivals on the racetrack. He pointed out how Hamilton prioritizes their friendship even today, often flying back after Grand Prix events with him and his former Mercedes teammates Valtteri Bottas and George Russell. Wolff told the Wall Street Journal: Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates winning a 7th F1 World Drivers Championship with Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Turkey... Race winner Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP celebrates winning a 7th F1 World Drivers Championship with Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Turkey at Intercity Istanbul Park on November 15, 2020 in Istanbul, Turkey. More Kenan Asyali - Pool/Getty Images "When he decided to go, it could have been very awkward, borderline hostile, and we actively talked about how to not make it that. All of us made a real effort in trying to be very accommodating, very understanding. "He's maintained being a friend. He pops up in the office on the weekend! He speaks with the engineers, gets some food. After many Grand Prix, he travels back with me. So we have the old gang: Valtteri Bottas, George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and me flying from the races." When asked if the kind of friendship he shared with Hamilton was unusual in motorsports, Wolff said: "It's very unusual in any kind of relationship. "But I tried to be very open and say, 'Listen, on the racetrack, we want to beat you. No doubt about that. But it's been 12 years that we have been in this relationship. We trust each other.'" Hamilton has reportedly dated several famous personalities, such as Colombian singer Shakira and actress Sofía Vergara. It wouldn't be surprising if Wolff influenced the decision to date them, given his claim that Hamilton often seeks his dating advice. He said: "I'm living a different life through his eyes, you know, he shows me his flirts and who he dates, and [asks], 'Should I go for this girl or not?' And I'm saying, 'Yes, you should, and tell me how it was!'" Hamilton is reportedly seeing British pop singer Raye, who worked with him for the F1 movie that released last month. Raye was spotted in the Ferrari garage in Melbourne, which was the 40-year-old driver's first Grand Prix with Ferrari. She also performed at Silverstone during the recent British GP weekend, which marked Hamilton's first home race with Ferrari.
Newsweek
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Wolff Jokes McLaren Engine Deal May Not Have Been "Most Intelligent" Choice
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Mercedes CEO Toto Wolff commented on supplying McLaren with power units and aiding their rival in winning titles. As a customer team, McLaren secured a deal to obtain Mercedes engines in 2021. The agreement helped McLaren with its resurgence from a mid-table team to a title contender over the past couple of seasons. Mercedes, on the other hand, has struggled since the 2022 regulations, going from the dominant team to a podium-fighting outfit. Wolff was the point person in making the deal with McLaren. During an interview with Sky Sports Italy, he jokingly expressed regret over giving the current title favorite their engines. Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff and McLaren Chief Executive Officer Zak Brown talk in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 08, 2024 in Abu... Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff and McLaren Chief Executive Officer Zak Brown talk in parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 08, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. More Photo by"Look at where they were three, four years ago, when we signed the deal with them that they were going to use our fast engines for the next few years. Then they were 18th and it was easy to make such a decision," Wolff said. "With the knowledge of today, I don't know if it was the most intelligent choice in my life to make that deal with them [laughs]. "They have it really well together in terms of engineering and that's why they perform so insanely well, especially in hot conditions." McLaren's deal with Mercedes runs for several more years, following an extension agreement reached between the two parties a couple of years ago. Announced back in 2023, the McLaren-Mercedes deal runs until 2030, marking another half decade of the partnership. At the time of the announcement, McLaren CEO Zac Brown released a statement on the new deal, which highlighted his excitement over the agreement. "Mercedes-Benz have been a brilliant and reliable partner of the McLaren Formula 1 Team," Brown said. "The extension signifies the confidence that our shareholders and the wider team have in their powertrains and the direction we're taking with them into the new era of regulations ahead. "We have been successful together, both in the last three seasons and when they previously powered the team, so we look forward to the success to come as we continue our journey to fight consistently at the front of the grid." In 2026, a new engine formula is debuting, which runs on half kinetic energy and half conventional energy. According to recent rumors and reports, the Mercedes powertrain is progressing well and is expected to be the class of the field next year. Mercedes supplies power units for several other teams on the grid, including Williams and Aston Martin. Starting in 2026, Honda will power Aston Martin, while Alpine is set to discontinue its engine operations and adopt Mercedes engines. More F1 news: How Lewis Hamilton Made the F1 Movie Production More Expensive For more F1 news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Lewis Hamilton Reveals Message to New Father Max Verstappen
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In the lead-up to the Miami Grand Prix, Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton revealed the message he had delivered to Max Verstappen regarding his soon-to-be-born child. Verstappen missed media day on Thursday at the Miami Grand Prix due to the birth of his first child. Due to Max and his partner Kelly Piquet requesting privacy regarding their child, little is known about when the baby is expected, nor is there information on the gender. Red Bull Racing released a statement regarding his absence: "Max will not be attending media day in Miami as he is expecting a baby," the statement read. "All is well, and he will attend [the] track tomorrow for the race weekend. We will not be offering any further comment at this time in respect towards the privacy of Max and his family." However, Hamilton was present on one media day and asked if the new baby would distract the driver, to which Hamilton refused to answer. The seven-time World Champion offered details regarding a conversation Hamilton had with Verstappen. "So I spoke to him briefly in Saudi and saw how excited he was, and big congrats to him," Hamilton said to the media. "I just wish him all the best. It's an amazing, such a special thing." Race winner and 2021 F1 World Drivers Champion Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing is congratulated by runner up in the race and championship Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP during... Race winner and 2021 F1 World Drivers Champion Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing is congratulated by runner up in the race and championship Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Mercedes GP during the F1 Grand Prix of Abu Dhabi at Yas Marina Circuit on December 12, 2021 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The 2021 season was marked by several controversial decisions by the FIA, including inconsistent application of rules and penalties, which added to the drama and debate among fans and pundits. MoreWith the arrival of his newborn, Verstappen would become the second father in Formula 1, with Nico Hulkenberg being the only other father actively on the grid. Hulkenberg dismissed the notion that having a child affects a racing driver's performance out on track. "Everyone is obviously different, but personally, I don't feel that's the case," Hulkenberg said, according to Planet F1's Elizabeth Blackstock. "I feel once we step in the car – visor down, go out – even for me, I tend to forget what goes on outside because we're just so focused and so driven to perform and maximize. "I just personally feel it's added benefit because it's giving me so much outside of work and outside of being in Formula 1. So I would even say it's kind of been helpful for me, if anything." Verstappen is still expected to participate in the Miami GP. He will look to take his second win of the season after nearly missing out on victory last time out in Saudi Arabia. The Red Bull RB21 remains a confusing car, as it has been all over the place regarding its pace, at times being the fourth fastest car and other times being the outright fastest.
