Toto Magic

Over the weekend I was watching an interview with Toto Wolff, the principal of Mercedes Formula One and it raised some interesting points. He hasn't signed and extended his contract with Mercedes which I am sure he will do now as a new Chairman of Formula One was announced by Liberty Media. The new head will be no other than former Ferrari man Stefano Domenicali. Not that he has much to do as his predecessor has already mapped out the next 5 years so it is more of a baby sitting role.

Chase Carey the current President had spoken to Toto Wolff about taking over but was blocked by Ferrari. The reality is Ferrari are more powerful than any other team and why former Ferrari man Jean Todt is head of the FIA. They are protecting their own interests and getting away with it.

Ferrari's reasoning though was sound though saying that Stefano was out of Formula One for the last 4 years and Toto was still heavily involved. This means at some point Toto Wolff needs to find his replacement to take over. He is a stake holder and owner in Mercedes Formula One and has other avenues to grow the business.

It is strange that Lewis Hamilton and Toto haven't renewed their contracts yet but will most likely do it over the coming weeks. They know they are going to sign and are waiting on each other it seems to free up time and to just get it done.

Whatever Toto has done he has been a success and people love him as he lets everyone get on with things. The sign of a good leader is having the right staff around you which he obviously has. I expect him to stay on for another 2 years before stepping aside after grooming his successor. He will be more behind the scenes working with Mercedes on other projects away from Formula One as that is what he has to do. We know the factory at Mercedes can make anything as the incubator project they did for the NHS showed just how well. This type of project and other new developments will take up his time over the coming years.

Formula One needs him as he is definitely the right person to take care of the sport he obviously loves. I believe he was happy with the veto by Ferrari as it made things clearer what he needs to do over the coming years if he wants the top job in Formula One which I believe he does.

James Allison the chief engineer summed up Toto as a team principal, saying he listens and makes fewer changes than all the other principals he has worked with in the past. This obviously works as you are employed because you are the best in that role and if you weren't you wouldn't be working for Toto. There are 2000 workers in the Mercedes team and yet each one is as important to Toto as the next. Everyone is in charge as they are all collectively a team which is why they win and enjoy what they do as they love working for Toto.

This is the difference between Ferrari and Mercedes as this is not just a job to the team members, but a lifestyle they enjoy. Fun is a big word to everyone as when you are having fun you go the extra mile as it is not a chore but a love.

I will never forget talking to someone who was successful at business and they mentioned that they hired people better than themselves. This is what he has done and head hunted the top people he could find. No stone is left unturned and he is thorough in whatever he does. Who knows but I would bet my bottom dollar Toto will be the president of Formula One within the next 5-6 years and then go on to be the head of the FIA governing body at some point after that. He is just that good at what he does and everyone knows that.