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Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff could take over Chase Carey's role as CEO of Formula 1 when his contract with the Silver Arrows ends after 2020.
The future of the Austrian is not yet known, and GPToday.net has learned from high-level sources that Wolff is evaluating his future beyond his current contract.
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Wolff currently owns 30 per cent of the Mercedes F1 team, while Niki Lauda owns 10 per cent. It is believed that Wolff's shareholding in the team is subject to a 'pull' option, which would allow Mercedes to acquire the combined 40 per cent of shares.
Tensions between new Mercedes CEO and Wolff
Mercedes CEO Dieter Zetsche will soon step down from his role to be replaced by Ola Kallenius. According to Mercedes insiders, Kallenius and Wolff have an unsavoury relationship, which could lead to complications down the line.
In Baku, Wolff didn't deny that his contract expires after the 2020 season and also confirmed that he is evaluating his future commitments. He also refused to comment further on his relationship Kallenius.
Carey rumoured to be stepping down from CEO role
Liberty Media's CEO and chairman Carey is also rumoured to be stepping away from his position as the company's CEO, all the while retaining his role as chairman.
This would open up a spot for a new executive to come in, with Wolff high on Liberty's list of suitable replacements.
Carey is believed to be tied down by a three-year contract that expires at the end of 2019, however that may be extended in light of Liberty's work with F1 to finalise the overhaul of regulations for 2021.
A Formula 1 spokesperson declined to comment on the situation.
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C. Sainz jr
calle.itw
Posts: 8,527
Hmm, I'm kinda neutral on this. On one end: good to have an F1-connected person in F1, that isn't entirely corporate. With emphasis on entirely. On the other end: I don't really trust Wolff anymore. It ain't me necessarily hating, I used to like Wolff, but I feel he has overstepped on enough occa... [Read more]