
© Daimler AG
Toto Wolff denied rumours that he might become the CEO of Aston Martin’s Formula 1 team after his contract with Mercedes expires.
The rumours of Wolff’s potential move came out after he missed a crucial phone call between Formula 1 teams, during which the coronavirus situation was discussed. Wolff was replaced by Mercedes’ technical director James Allison, with no official explanation given for his absence. The Austrian’s contract with Mercedes expires at the end of 2020.
Racing Point boss Lawrence Stroll, who bought a stake in the British carmaker Aston Martin, announced his team would be rebranded as Aston Martin after the 2020 season. Many reports say Wolff has become closer with Stroll in recent months, which further fueled rumours of his exit from Mercedes.
Former F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone believes there is some truth to the story.
“Wolff has become more friendly with Lawrence,” said the 89-year-old.
“Lawrence has some people with him and the group has bought control of [Aston Martin], and I suppose Toto could jump in there as chief executive.
“He has the brains to pick the right people to be friends with, and I think we will more than likely see him join Lawrence at Aston Martin,”
“It might work,” concluded the Briton.
However Wolff denied the rumours in a WhatsApp message to Motorsport.com.
“The story is not true, I am not going to be the CEO of Aston Martin,” wrote Wolff from the Maldives, where he is spending time with his family during the Formula 1 break.