© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Toto Wolff describes a method called “enemy building” that he says is “a powerful psychological weapon”, and Valtteri Bottas admits he is using a variation of it.
At the Spanish Grand Prix Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff said he encourages his employees to use a method called “enemy building” to keep themselves motivated.
“You could place a photo of that person in the calendar or on the desk, and every time there is a little lack of motivation, you look at these people,” the Austrian explained.
“Everyone is free to do it. Of the people I work with, I keep seeing such photos pop out. It’s good. It’s called enemy building, and it’s a powerful psychological weapon.
“As for myself, I have two photos that I always carry with me and that are on my desktop. Neither of the two people has anything to do with Formula 1 or with racing altogether.
“It’s about business,” concluded Wolff.
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Later Motorsport.com asked Valtteri Bottas if he uses a similar method.
“I don’t carry a picture of Lewis or Max in my pocket,” the Finn said.
“I have one, actually inspired by the chats with Toto last year. I have one thing on my computer, a desktop picture that is a motivation to me every time I open the computer.
“It’s not really a positive thing. It’s a negative thing that always reminds me to show them what I can do.”
However when asked to reveal who or what is on the picture, Bottas just said: “I won’t tell you.”
