Toto Wolff Reverses Decision: Mercedes Boss to Attend Japanese GP Despite Team’s Struggles in 2024 F1 Season

Image source: Toto Wolff (via essesntialsports)

Published by: Dimphotsentle Pule

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff was going to skip the Japanese Grand Prix but changed his mind. The team hasn’t done well at the start of the 2024 F1 season.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has decided to attend the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, changing his previous plan of skipping the event. This decision comes after reports surfaced following the Australian Grand Prix last month, indicating Wolff’s absence in Suzuka was part of a pre-established schedule for the 24-race season.

However, Mercedes have confirmed that the Austrian will now be present at the fourth round of the campaign.

Wolff’s decision to alter his schedule follows a disappointing beginning to the season for the Silver Arrows. Mercedes endured a double Did Not Finish (DNF) in Australia, resulting in them currently standing fourth in the constructors’ standings, trailing Red Bull by 72 points, with Ferrari closely behind, just four points shy of the lead.

As the F1 calendar expands to a record 24 rounds, teams are implementing personnel rotations during events to ensure their well-being.

In addition to his role as team principal, Wolff serves as the chief executive of the F1 team and director of Mercedes motorsport. These additional responsibilities, unlike most of his counterparts, demand his attention away from the track.

The 52-year-old is known to keep a flexible schedule, enabling adjustments to be made as needed throughout the season.

Following the retirements of both Lewis Hamilton and George Russell at the Melbourne race, Wolff expressed that it was reasonable to question his role as team principal.

The Australian Grand Prix marked one of the toughest moments during Wolff’s time with Mercedes. The team’s struggles with pace were worsened by Hamilton’s engine failure and Russell’s late crash.

“As a corner of this business, I need to be sure that my contribution is positive and creative,” Wolff said in Melbourne.

“I would be the first one to say, if someone has a better idea, tell me, because I’m interested to turn this team around as quickly as possible. And I’ll happily give my input and see what that would be or who that could be.”

Japanese GP schedule:

Thursday April 4
4:30am: Drivers’ press conference

Friday April 5
3am: Japanese GP Practice One (session starts at 3.30am)
6:45am: Japanese GP Practice Two (session starts at 7am)
8:5am: The F1 Show
10am: Japanese GP Practice One replay
11:30am: Japanese GP Practice Two replay

Saturday April 6
3:15am: Japanese GP Practice Three (session starts at 3.30am)
6am: Japanese GP Qualifying build-up
7am: Japanese GP Qualifying
9am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook
9:30am: Japanese GP Qualifying replay

Sunday April 7
5am: Grand Prix Sunday Japanese GP build-up
6am: The JAPANESE GRAND PRIX
8am: Chequered Flag: Japanese GP reaction
9am: Ted’s Notebook
9:30am: Japanese Grand Prix highlights
10.30am: Japanese Grand Prix replay

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