Toto Wolff

Toto Wolff

Toto Wolff in 2010
Born Torger Christian Wolff
12 January 1972
Vienna, Austria
Nationality Austrian
Occupation Executive director of Mercedes-Benz Motorsport
Predecessor Norbert Haug
Spouse(s) Susie Wolff (wife)

Torger Christian "Toto" Wolff[1] (born January 12, 1972 in Vienna, Austria) is an Austrian investor and racing driver who is currently a 30% Owner and Executive Director of Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team and a shareholder in Williams F1 of which he owns just under 5% in shares.[2]

Wolff started his motorsport career in the Austrian Formula Ford Championship and the German Formula Ford Series. He won his category in the 1994 24 Hours Nürburgring and later competed in the FIA GT/GT1 series in Italy.

As an investor, Wolff founded Marchfifteen in 1998 and Marchsixteen Investments in 2004 which initially focused on Internet and Technology companies. He currently focuses on strategic investments in medium-sized industrial and listed companies which have included Williams F1, German HWA AG and BRR Rallye Racing.

Motorsport

Wolff started his motorsport-career 1992 in the Austrian Formula Ford Championship. He drove in Austrian and German Formula Ford in 1993 and 1994. In 1994 he won the 24 Hours Nürburgring in his category. In 2002 Wolff finished in sixth place at the FIA NGT world championship and won one race. In 2003 he won a race of the FIA GT/GT1 series in Italy. In 2004 Wolff raced together with Karl Wendlinger at the FIA GT Championship series.[3] Wolff was runner up in the Austrian Rally Championship in 2006 and Winner of the 24-hour race in Dubai.[4] Wolff has also served as an instructor at the Walter Lechner Racing School.

Investor

Wolff founded the investment company Marchfifteen in 1998 and Marchsixteen Investments in 2004. The initial investments focused on internet and technology companies. Since 2003 Wolff has been concentrating on strategic investments in medium-sized industrial and listed companies.[5] Investments include amongst other the German HWA AG, in which Wolff bought a 49% stake in 2006 and listed the company on the stock exchange in 2007.[6] The company runs the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters race program for Mercedes Benz, develops F3 engines and the Gullwing Mercedes Benz SLS GT3 racing car. Wolff serves as deputy chairman of the board to Mr. Hans-Werner Aufrecht, founder of AMG. Other investments include BRR Rallye Racing, one of the largest rally parts dealers in Europe and winner of the 2008 Production World Rally Championship (PWRC) with then Red Bull Junior Andreas Aigner,[7] and in 2011 winner of the Super 2000 World Rally Championship (S-WRC) with driver Juho Hänninen. Wolff is co-owner of a sports management company with Mika Häkkinen and was involved in the management of upcoming racing drivers such as Bruno Spengler, Alexandre Premat and Valtteri Bottas.

Formula One

On Friday November 20, 2009, it was announced that Wolff had bought a share of the Williams Formula One Team and joined the board of directors of the team.[8]In 2012 he was named Executive Director of WilliamsF1.[9]

On Monday January 21, 2013, it was announced that Wolff would leave WilliamsF1 to become an executive director of the Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team, his business partner Rene Berger becoming non-executive director. In addition to joining the team, he also acquired 30% of Mercedes Grand Prix, the F1 team of Mercedes. Wolff took over the co-ordination of all Mercedes-Benz motorsport activities, a responsibility previously held by Norbert Haug. Wolff remains a Williams shareholder, but does not have a role at the team.[10] He started work at Mercedes on 28 January 2013.[11] In 2014, Wolff sold 10% of Williams to American businessman Brad Hollinger.[2]

As co-owner of both WilliamsF1 (where wife Susie works as a test driver) and Mercedes Grand Prix, Wolff could celebrate among numerous podiums and successes for both teams, a 1–2–3–4 finish at Spielberg, Austria in his 'home race', as well as at Monza, Italy in both Qualifying and Race classifications.[12]

Personal life

Wolff lives with his wife, the Scottish racer Susie Wolff (née Stoddart) in Ermatingen at Lake Constance in Switzerland.[13]

References

  1. ↑ Enzinger, Gerald (10 November 2010). "Der Toto-Gewinner". Wiener Post (in German) (Styria Media Group). Retrieved 14 December 2010.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 BBC: Mercedes' Wolff sells Williams shares
  3. ↑ fiagt.com: Driver Biography: Toto Wolff
  4. ↑ 24-series.com: Duller Motorsport wins first 24 hourrace of the Middle-East
  5. ↑ Mercedes AMG F1
  6. ↑ Boerseexpress.com
  7. ↑ "Baumschlager Rallye & Racing – About us". Baumschlager Rallye & Racing. Retrieved 2013-12-07.
  8. ↑ Autosport.com: Williams sells stake in team
  9. ↑ "Williams shareholder Toto Wolff becomes executive director". Retrieved 2012-07-25.
  10. ↑ "Wolff joins Mercedes and invests in F1 team". ESPNF1. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
  11. ↑ "F1: Mercedes AMG Formula 1 team shareholder Toto Wolff embarks on new role". F1SA. 28 January 2013. Retrieved 10 February 2013.
  12. ↑ "Lewis Hamilton needs to be more consistent if he is to catch Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, writes David Coulthard". BBC Sport. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
  13. ↑ "Susie Stoddart and Toto Wolff married". Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (ITR e.V.). 17 October 2011. Retrieved 21 October 2011.