Mercedes: Toto Wolff settles in while Lewis Hamilton visits
In search of a new shine, the Mercedes team is looking to restructure: while, on a purely sporting level, the arrival of Lewis Hamilton, announced several months ago, already marks a new stage, it is at the organizational level that further significant changes could occur, following the arrival of Toto Wolff in the firm's capital and at the head of the sports department.
The 2013 season will mark a true revival for Mercedes. The organization chart, to begin with, has already been shaken by the entry of Toto Wolff into its capital – who remains, however, a shareholder of the Williams team. The Austrian, who has taken a significant minority financial participation in Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd, has even been promoted to executive director, making him, in effect, the mastermind of the group. Toto Wolff is not the only wolf entering the fold, as for the past few months, Niki Lauda has held the position of non-executive chairman.
« As an entrepreneur, investor, and manager in motorsports, Toto Wolff has proven that this sport runs in his veins [but], at the same time, he is very aware of the economic necessities of business. With him, we have gained […] an experienced motorsport specialist but also a long-time enthusiast of the brand », declared Dr. Dieter Zetsche, the chairman of Daimler. Toto Wolff’s role will not only involve Formula 1 but also other sporting activities of Mercedes, such as the DTM or F3.
Barely arrived, rumors from Germany suggest that the Austrian is quickly getting to work, as according to *Sport Bild*, Paddy Lowe, technical director of the McLaren team, has been approached by Toto Wolff to join Mercedes. If confirmed, this information would be another thunderclap in an off-season that seems to be accelerating as the start of the season approaches. Especially since *Sport Bild* doesn’t stop there and suggests a possible double departure: Ross Brawn and Nick Fry might be shown the door. The next few hours should reveal the truth of these reports.
Trackside, equally significant changes are expected as the star-branded company has hired 2008 world champion Lewis Hamilton to replace Michael Schumacher, who will be partnering with Nico Rosberg. While Keke’s son is accustomed to the site, having driven a Silver Arrow since 2010, the Briton needs to acquaint himself with his new environment, a new situation for someone who has spent his entire career within the McLaren sphere.
The first public appearance of Lewis Hamilton with his new colors took place yesterday at the Mercedes headquarters in Stuttgart. Like a footballer during the transfer window, the Stevenage native visited the facilities of his new employer, taking the opportunity—the football comparison ending there—to take a close interest in the factory assembly line and pose for photographers alongside the group’s employees and production car parts.
« It’s my first day of work [with my new team] » briefly stated Her Majesty’s subject. During this visit, Lewis Hamilton was able to be photographed alongside the brand’s most prestigious cars, whether they marked the history of motorsport, like the Mercedes W196 and W196s with which Juan-Manuel Fangio was crowned Formula 1 world champion in 1954 and 1955, or the history of production cars, like the Mercedes SLS. The latter allowed the Briton to remind us that, besides his driving skills (which he has not yet showcased behind the wheel of a German car), he possesses great dexterity that allows him to take a photo and then post a tweet, as he is known for: « SLS Blackseries!!! This car is one bad ass motha! » (the rough and softened French translation might give: « Cette voiture est sacrément mortelle! »).
