"See if Wolff can return to command post now that this is known"
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- GPblog.com
Ralf Schumacher is curious about what Toto Wolff is planning in the near future. The Mercedes team boss still has a contract until 2020 at the German race stable and is free to stand and go where he wants after next season. A switch to Aston Martin is possible, according to rumours.
The Austrian is good friends with the wealthy Lawrence Stroll, owner of Racing Point. In 2021, however, that team will go through life as Aston Martin and they plan to go high in Formula 1 and seriously threaten the three top teams. Bringing in Wolff would fit well into that picture.
Investment Wolff
In addition, Wolff recently invested many millions in the Aston Martin brand. However, according to the 48-year-old top executive, this is a 'personal investment' and his shares in Aston Martin only relate to normal road cars and not to the Formula 1 team. Nevertheless, Schumacher believes that a switch from Wolff should not be ruled out. After all, the future of Mercedes in the king's class of motorsport is not entirely certain either. The coronavirus and its financial impact don't help.
In conversation with Bild, Schumacher announces that it is possible that Mercedes will withdraw from Formula 1 as a factory team and will only continue as an engine supplier. He points back to the credit crisis of ten years. "Then we had BMW that suddenly withdrew. The possibility always exists."
Schumacher on the future of Wolff at Mercedes
Schumacher calls the Wolff and Aston Martin situation 'interesting'. "Let's see if he can return to his command post now that his investment in Aston Martin has become known", speculates the German, and then continues: "If Mercedes falls apart due to internal position, I am very curious to see if he can continue to perform at this level. It's an exciting thing", he concludes.