2024 Mercedes-AMG | Petronas F1 Team

[Lasssept]

Torger who?

Torger Christian "Toto" Wolff (German pronunciation: [volf], born 12 January 1972) is an Austrian billionaire investor, motorsport executive and former racing driver.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toto_Wolff

[Hammerfist]

Learn something new every day. I never knew Torger that was his real name.
Anyway, Toto sounding salty. He's been salty all year,. 2026 will be make it or break it. Next year we already know will be another wasted year. IF they don't come out hard out of the blocks in the next regulations then this team will be on their way to becoming the pre 23' Mclaren; Pure midfield.

[Dunlay]

That's some next level fact twisting, Lewis told him after a few days he signed and more than a year in advance in practice. He was never getting Leclerc or Norris

I am sure you would have said the same about Niki getting Lewis for Mercedes in 2012.

[Vanja #66]

I am sure you would have said the same about Niki getting Lewis for Mercedes in 2012.

That's really got nothing to do with any of this. Toto complains Hamilton should have told him earlier and he could have gone for established drivers like Leclerc or Norris. This is nonsense because both of them signed their contracts about the same time as Hamilton, in January this year. What's more, Norris had a contract until the end of 2025 anyway.

Hamilton informed Toto as early as possible and literally gave them a full year notice. Toto's way too sour and won't even accept the realit, this is just hurting the team more and more

[AR3-GP]

I am sure you would have said the same about Niki getting Lewis for Mercedes in 2012.

That's really got nothing to do with any of this. Toto complains Hamilton should have told him earlier and he could have gone for established drivers like Leclerc or Norris. This is nonsense because both of them signed their contracts about the same time as Hamilton, in January this year. What's more, Norris had a contract until the end of 2025 anyway.

Hamilton informed Toto as early as possible and literally gave them a full year notice. Toto's way too sour and won't even accept the realit, this is just hurting the team more and more

Hamilton was speaking with Ferrari in the spring of 2023. Confirmed by Elkann.

At the same time, Hamilton simultaneously lied to Mercedes about it. He said he wasn't talking to Ferrari or anyone else unless you hear it from him.

“Naturally, when you are in contract negotiations there will always be speculation and ultimately unless you hear it from me then that’s what it is,” he said. “My team is working closely behind the scenes with Toto and we are almost at the end of having the contract ready.”

Hamilton answered with a blunt and unhesitant “no” when asked if he had been approached by Ferrari. He also rejected suggestions that Mercedes’ poor form in the past two seasons was playing a part in his decision-making process.

Then Fred ghosted Toto when asked about it

"And then I sent a text to [Ferrari boss] Fred Vasseur saying: 'You're taking our driver?' Didn't get any response. Very unusual for Fred. He's a good friend. So yeah, I saw it coming."

I'm simply presenting the facts. Toto was lied to on multiple occasions and he lost a golden opportunity to go after Charles Leclerc as a result.

[OverheatedTurbo]

I don’t understand why Wolff is getting grilled by simply planning for the future. Sometimes he does not choose the right words but still. Lewis for me quit the team last year when Toto had to call him out about the comments of the car. Hopefully the toxic discord ends for next year when he moves to the Scuderia. Too much toxic back and forth on this forum.

[Dunlay]

I am sure you would have said the same about Niki getting Lewis for Mercedes in 2012.

That's really got nothing to do with any of this. Toto complains Hamilton should have told him earlier and he could have gone for established drivers like Leclerc or Norris. This is nonsense because both of them signed their contracts about the same time as Hamilton, in January this year. What's more, Norris had a contract until the end of 2025 anyway.

Hamilton informed Toto as early as possible and literally gave them a full year notice. Toto's way too sour and won't even accept the realit, this is just hurting the team more and more

Hamilton was speaking with Ferrari in the spring of 2023. Confirmed by Elkann.

At the same time, Hamilton simultaneously lied to Mercedes about it. He said he wasn't talking to Ferrari or anyone else unless you hear it from him.

“Naturally, when you are in contract negotiations there will always be speculation and ultimately unless you hear it from me then that’s what it is,” he said. “My team is working closely behind the scenes with Toto and we are almost at the end of having the contract ready.”

Hamilton answered with a blunt and unhesitant “no” when asked if he had been approached by Ferrari. He also rejected suggestions that Mercedes’ poor form in the past two seasons was playing a part in his decision-making process.

Then Fred ghosted Toto when asked about it

"And then I sent a text to [Ferrari boss] Fred Vasseur saying: 'You're taking our driver?' Didn't get any response. Very unusual for Fred. He's a good friend. So yeah, I saw it coming."

I'm simply presenting the facts. Toto was lied to on multiple occasions and he lost a golden opportunity to go after Charles Leclerc as a result.

For the great relationship that Lewis enjoyed with Mercedes and Toto, he could have been far more open in letting Toto know that he is looking out. It would have been a difficult discussion, but if Lewis would have informed Toto in the early stages of his discussion with Ferrari, it definitely would have allowed better options for Toto. I don't understand why Vanja is ignoring this simple fact. HIs claim of giving one year's time is really silly becuase that time is useless as the window to grab Charles or Lando had closed.

[Luscion]

Toto in October of 2023 said that a few months before, Lewis let him know that he had dinner with Elkann but said no negotiations were happening then (could have well not been true)
https://www.silverarrows.net/news/toto- ... h-ferrari/


Formu1aUno reported that the Lewis to Ferrari talks only started a month before he signed, doubt it could happen that fast but it lines up with Toto saying he started hearing rumors two weeks before it was official. Lewis and Toto met the next day at his house and thats when Lewis broke the news
https://www.reddit.com/r/formula1/comme ... m_on_more/
https://www.motorsportweek.com/2024/02/ ... departure/

[Jurgen von Diaz]

That's really got nothing to do with any of this. Toto complains Hamilton should have told him earlier and he could have gone for established drivers like Leclerc or Norris. This is nonsense because both of them signed their contracts about the same time as Hamilton, in January this year. What's more, Norris had a contract until the end of 2025 anyway.

Hamilton informed Toto as early as possible and literally gave them a full year notice. Toto's way too sour and won't even accept the realit, this is just hurting the team more and more

Hamilton was speaking with Ferrari in the spring of 2023. Confirmed by Elkann.

At the same time, Hamilton simultaneously lied to Mercedes about it. He said he wasn't talking to Ferrari or anyone else unless you hear it from him.

“Naturally, when you are in contract negotiations there will always be speculation and ultimately unless you hear it from me then that’s what it is,” he said. “My team is working closely behind the scenes with Toto and we are almost at the end of having the contract ready.”

Hamilton answered with a blunt and unhesitant “no” when asked if he had been approached by Ferrari. He also rejected suggestions that Mercedes’ poor form in the past two seasons was playing a part in his decision-making process.

Then Fred ghosted Toto when asked about it

"And then I sent a text to [Ferrari boss] Fred Vasseur saying: 'You're taking our driver?' Didn't get any response. Very unusual for Fred. He's a good friend. So yeah, I saw it coming."

I'm simply presenting the facts. Toto was lied to on multiple occasions and he lost a golden opportunity to go after Charles Leclerc as a result.

For the great relationship that Lewis enjoyed with Mercedes and Toto, he could have been far more open in letting Toto know that he is looking out. It would have been a difficult discussion, but if Lewis would have informed Toto in the early stages of his discussion with Ferrari, it definitely would have allowed better options for Toto. I don't understand why Vanja is ignoring this simple fact. HIs claim of giving one year's time is really silly becuase that time is useless as the window to grab Charles or Lando had closed.

Toto did not want to give Lewis a multiyear deal and is now offended that Lewis went to grab that multiyear deal at Ferrari. Toto can blame himself if he does not protect his assets that he does not want to lose.

Teams are always sacking drivers and worst case scenario in the middle of the contract, but when drivers respect their contracts and change their jobs according their contract, the billionaire is crying that he did not have strings on his hands.

[Vanja #66]

Hamilton was speaking with Ferrari in the spring of 2023. Confirmed by Elkann.

At the same time, Hamilton simultaneously lied to Mercedes about it. He said he wasn't talking to Ferrari or anyone else unless you hear it from him.

“Naturally, when you are in contract negotiations there will always be speculation and ultimately unless you hear it from me then that’s what it is,” he said. “My team is working closely behind the scenes with Toto and we are almost at the end of having the contract ready.”

Hamilton answered with a blunt and unhesitant “no” when asked if he had been approached by Ferrari. He also rejected suggestions that Mercedes’ poor form in the past two seasons was playing a part in his decision-making process.

Then Fred ghosted Toto when asked about it

"And then I sent a text to [Ferrari boss] Fred Vasseur saying: 'You're taking our driver?' Didn't get any response. Very unusual for Fred. He's a good friend. So yeah, I saw it coming."

I'm simply presenting the facts. Toto was lied to on multiple occasions and he lost a golden opportunity to go after Charles Leclerc as a result.

Hamilton's talks with Ferrari in early 2023 were most likely for 2024, he had no contract with Mercedes at the time. He obviously had no plans to go there at the time and extended with Mercedes by summer 2023. Having been given 1+1 contract and denied multi-year+1 contract, he was undoubtedly dissapointed, maybe even felt betrayed.

Even after all that, he came forward with his 2025 plans quickly and gave Mercedes a full year to find his replacement. Toto's saltier than Bonneville at this point, but he has only himseld to blame.

[dialtone]

Toto is a billionaire that is at the same time ruthless and clearly naive if he thinks Lewis is going to wait around when he has no contract for the following year. How long has he been doing this job now?

[AR3-GP]

I think that Toto's shelf life comment was inspired by a piece of wisdom offered by James Allison in early 2021.

Allison made the choice himself to step down from his role as technical director. "I firmly believe that people have a shelf life in senior roles in this sport, and I have chosen to step away from my role as Technical Director in order to pass on the baton at the right time for the organization and myself," Allison said in the press release. "I have enjoyed four and a half wonderful years as Technical Director, and it has been a special privilege to lead the technical effort of the team in that time."

https://www.gpblog.com/en/news/81531/al ... sport.html


It's not a coincidence to hear Toto repeat it.

[Dunlay]

I see Tifosi is defending Lewis, but i can guarantee it's going to be a different tune next year when toxicity comes to Ferrari forums

[Waz]

Signing Leclerc is never going to happen. He bleeds Ferrari.

I don't see Norris as any kind of improvement over Russell. Both are strong qualifiers but I see Russell as a clear step better in the races. He's more likely to steal a podium or win that shouldn't have been his, while Norris has a history of missing out on big results that should have been slam dunked. Not because he's a bottler, but he just isn't decisive or aggressive enough in grabbing a race result by it's neck and bringing it home.

George is an unrefined version of Alonso.

But he is constantly overlooked by Toto for some reason.

[Jurgen von Diaz]

Signing Leclerc is never going to happen. He bleeds Ferrari.

I don't see Norris as any kind of improvement over Russell. Both are strong qualifiers but I see Russell as a clear step better in the races. He's more likely to steal a podium or win that shouldn't have been his, while Norris has a history of missing out on big results that should have been slam dunked. Not because he's a bottler, but he just isn't decisive or aggressive enough in grabbing a race result by it's neck and bringing it home.

George is an unrefined version of Alonso.

But he is constantly overlooked by Toto for some reason.

There is no such thing as a respecting their roots. Leclerc will change team when a better team approaches him with more money. Verstappen will be the next proof. Top driver's main target is to be in the best car.