Toto Wolff Tag

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer The worst kept secret in Formula One was revealed Tuesday. Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team signed Williams Racing’s George Russell to replace Valtteri Bottas next season. This confirmation comes a day after Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN announcing Bottas will be joining them on a multi-year deal. Russell will be paired up with none other than seven-time F1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton. Thus, the Williams ride becomes the latest vacant seat for 2022. Russell described the announcement as a special moment filled with mixed emotions. WhileRead More

By Luis Torres, Staff Writer Valtteri Bottas’s 2022 Formula One plans were confirmed Monday as he’ll be Alfa Romeo Racing ORLEN’s new driver. Therefore, leaving his Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team ride vacant for the time being. With Kimi Raikkonen retiring at the end of the season, Bottas will be the only Finnish driver on the grid as he’s ready to begin a new chapter on his racing career. “The potential of the setup in Hinwil (Alfa Romeo’s shop location) is clear and I am relishing the opportunity to helpRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Valtteri Bottas has been retained by Mercedes for the 2020 Formula 1 season. The 30-year-old Finn currently has earned five victories and 10 pole positions since joining the German outfit in 2017. Additionally, he sits second in the championship standings. “I am very happy and proud to be part of the team for a fourth season and wish to thank every team member and the board of Mercedes for their trust and belief in me,” Bottas said. “My performances have been getting better and better eachRead More

By FIA The motorsport world is today mourning the death of Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda, who passed away last night at the age of 70. Paying tribute to Austrian legend, FIA President Jean Todt said: “Niki Lauda was a hero of motor sport, who inspired me in my youth. He is a milestone in the history of Formula One. All my thoughts go out to his family, friends and to Mercedes.” Chase Carey, Chairman and CEO, Formula 1 added: “It is with great sadness that we learned of the deathRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief The cloudy future of Lewis Hamilton became has become slightly clearer. The 33-year-old Brit is in the final year of his contract with Mercedes, but after being crowned champion three of the past four seasons some doubt has crept in about his career beyond 2018. During an FIA press conference on Friday ahead of this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, Toto Wolff, Team Principal of Mercedes, candidly addressed the situation. “The contract we have been discussing before going into the winter holiday and then we kind ofRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief The 2018 Formula 1 season just got underway with the first practice of the year and we already have a clash on our hands between Ferrari and Red Bull Racing. The head-to-head battle came between the team principals of both squads during Friday’s FIA press conference, with the focal point being the Italian squad’s hiring of FIA safety delegate Laurent Mekies. The situation under scrutiny comes on the heels of Renault’s move to bring on former FIA Technical Director, Marcin Budkowski late last year – thoughRead More

By Adam Tate, Associate Editor Mercedes unveiled their 2018 car today at a cold Silverstone circuit. The brand new W09 is the latest in the royal bloodline that has won four consecutive drivers and constructors championships. If the team can achieve that feat again this season, they will equal the success of the Michael Schumacher era at Ferrari. To do so the new W09 will need to be less of a diva than its predecessor which saw Ferrari put up a close fight and get Sebastian Vettel past Valtteri Bottas inRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Mercedes has revealed its plans to continue to support Pascal Wehrlein for the upcoming season despite not finding a place on the 2018 Formula 1 grid. The 23-year-old German captured the DTM championship in 2015, which helped elevate him in the Mercedes program and into a seat at Manor the following year. He managed to score Manor’s only point of the season with a 10th-place effort in the Austrian Grand Prix. Moving to Sauber in 2017, Wehrlein wasn’t able to contend a Grand Prix until theRead More

By Adam Tate, Associate Editor Valtteri Bottas will stay in silver for 2018. The two-time race winner has signed a new one year deal with Mercedes AMG Petronas to partner with Lewis Hamilton for a second season. The Finn was quickly added to the team over last winter after 2016 World Champion Nico Rosberg shocked the racing world by announcing his immediate retirement. He has more than proved himself throughout 2017, in addition to his two wins in Russia and Austria, he sits third in the drivers’ standings and has stoodRead More

By Joey Barnes, Editor-in-Chief Before we discuss some of the changes hitting Mercedes, let’s take a look at some of what was accomplished under the old regulations. First off, they enter 2017 as the defending champions as a constructor, and as a driver’s champion with the Nico Rosberg.  The past three seasons have seen the German outfit capture three constructor titles, which were matched equally with driver’s championships, along with 51 victories. However, the stunning retirement of reigning F1 champion Rosberg put the team in a bit of a scramble.Read More