Toto Wolff has revealed that he repeatedly offered to resign as Mercedes Formula 1 team principal during the team’s difficult recent seasons, only for Mercedes-Benz CEO Ola Källenius to reject his resignation each time. The Austrian made the surprising admission in Berlin during the 2026 Golden Steering Wheel awards ceremony, where he received the AUTO BILD Motorsport Award following Mercedes’ return to the top of Formula 1.
The revelation comes at the end of a remarkable comeback season for Mercedes, with Andrea Kimi Antonelli becoming the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history and the Brackley-based team reclaiming the Constructors’ Championship after a five-year wait. However, Wolff has now disclosed that he could easily have missed these achievements as Mercedes team principal.
Mercedes returns to the top of Formula 1 after four difficult seasons
Toto Wolff was one of the leading figures at the 2026 Golden Steering Wheel awards ceremony in Berlin last Tuesday evening, where he was presented with the prestigious AUTO BILD Motorsport Award. For the Austrian manager, the occasion represented recognition of a season that has marked a significant turnaround in Mercedes’ fortunes.
After four full seasons characterised by more disappointment than success, during which Mercedes never had a sufficiently competitive car to challenge for the world championships, the Silver Arrows have finally returned to the summit of Formula 1.
At the centre of that resurgence is Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s historic world championship triumph. The young Italian was personally backed by Toto Wolff as Lewis Hamilton’s successor after the seven-time world champion decided to leave Mercedes for Ferrari.
That decision has now been vindicated in extraordinary fashion. Andrea Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest Formula 1 world champion of all time, while Mercedes has also returned to the top of the Constructors’ Championship for the first time in five years.
Wolff’s faith in the young Italian has been a defining element of Mercedes’ comeback, with the team principal also publicly celebrating Antonelli’s achievements and addressing the mentality of other Formula 1 drivers following the championship victory.
Toto Wolff reveals Mercedes rejected his resignation offers
Despite Mercedes’ return to championship-winning form, Toto Wolff has admitted that he came close to stepping away from his leadership role during the team’s previous struggles. Speaking at the awards ceremony alongside presenter Barbara Schöneberger and tennis legend Boris Becker, the Austrian revealed that he had considered leaving Formula 1 altogether, or at least relinquishing his position as Mercedes team principal.
Asked whether he intended to continue in his current role, Wolff responded with a joke directed at Mercedes-Benz chief executive Ola Källenius, who was also attending the ceremony.
“Will I continue doing this job? Yes. Ola forces me to,” Wolff joked, before revealing that his previous attempts to step down had been unsuccessful.
“I offered him my resignation several times over the past few years, but he always replied: ‘You will continue doing this.'”
The admission provides a revealing insight into the difficult period Mercedes experienced after its previous era of Formula 1 dominance. While Wolff contemplated stepping away from the team, Ola Källenius remained determined to keep him in charge.
That confidence has ultimately been rewarded by Mercedes’ return to championship success in 2026, a season in which Wolff’s decision to place his trust in Andrea Kimi Antonelli has proved especially important. The young Italian’s emergence has also been celebrated beyond the team, with Stefano Domenicali recognising the historic significance of Italy’s first Formula 1 world title in 73 years.
Toto Wolff equals Ron Dennis with 17 Formula 1 world titles
Mercedes’ success this season has also secured Toto Wolff a place alongside one of the most celebrated team bosses in Formula 1 history. With 17 Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships won during his time in charge of Mercedes, the Austrian has now drawn level with Ron Dennis as the most successful team manager in the sport’s history.
It is a remarkable achievement for a team principal who, by his own admission, had repeatedly contemplated leaving during Mercedes’ difficult years. Instead, he has overseen another championship-winning campaign and helped establish the foundations for the team’s future with Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
For Mercedes’ rivals, the concern now is that the team’s latest period of success could continue for years to come. And with Ola Källenius determined to keep Toto Wolff at the helm, there appears to be little prospect of the Austrian stepping away any time soon.
More news about Mercedes and Andrea Kimi Antonelli
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s father reveals when he knew his son would become F1 world champion
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli reveals Toto Wolff’s angry warning after Mercedes clash with George Russell
Leave a Reply