© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says the coronavirus crisis allowed him to ‘slow down’ and ‘grow as a human being’.
The extended Formula 1 shutdown period allowed people working inside the industry to finally have a prolonged period of rest. Toto Wolff says it was hard to adjust at first, but in the end he believes the experience changed his life for the better.
“I think what corona taught me and Susie [Wolff’s wife] is that slowing down can actually be something that is pretty enjoyable,” said the Austrian in a Mercedes YouTube video.
“At the beginning it was very difficult, we packed our days with activities that were allowed, and tried to keep ourselves busy in the gym, working out, going for a run or a bike ride, once it opened up. And obviously F1 being very present.
“But since a few weeks we have readjusted. I’ve found some time for reflection, time to enjoy the moments with Jack, who is three years old, and my older children, Benedict and Rosie. We’ve been outdoors a lot, we’re lucky with the weather in Europe, and for me personally it’s a new experience.
“It’s 25 years since I started working, and I don’t remember one single period where I would be in the same place for more than two weeks for a holiday. And here we go. It’s changed our lives, and I think for the better.
“I kind of dived through the moment of what are we going to do next? And it’s a little bit like somebody who moves onto an island, and is depressed for three weeks, and suddenly he finds the bliss.
“I have started to enjoy the days with less planning, less meetings, with less phone calls. It’s something I’ve experienced which has made me grow as a human being.
“We still need to be considerate, because this virus is still making many lives very bad, either you’re affected yourself, or somebody in your family. We are privileged to be in an environment in Austria where you can actually move outside.
“So let’s not have the joy run away with us, it’s still a serious situation,” concluded Wolff.
