Why Wolff is at the pit wall at Mercedes in Japan after all

"Yes, I had planned not to come to Japan because there's so much on back in Europe, things to do," Wolff said. "But then I felt not coming to Japan was the wrong choice. I think it's important to be with the race team also. It does me good also to be close to the action. We are experimenting with a few things and then being part of the team really gives me energy. I hope the other way around too. So that's why I decided against staying in Europe."

For Mercedes, the season start can be described as downright disappointing. The German formation picked up just 26 points in three Grands Prix, a negative record. For the third season in a row, they have failed to build a car in Brackley that can compete for world titles. How does Wolff keep everyone motivated?

"We've won eight times in a row and that hasn't been done before. But you have periods where you struggle like any other sports team, and you can't win every time. And that's why this is a super challenge. And it's not a race. It's not one single season and then you come back out on top. But it's the third one in a row," he says.