Toto Wolff not at Suzuka as Mercedes boss skips first race since 2019

Formula One preview: A lap of the Japanese Grand Prix

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff will not be watching Lewis Hamilton and George Russell from the paddock at this weekend’s Japanese Grand Prix. The 50-year-old has been pushing for Red Bull to be punished for an alleged breach of last year’s budget cap and is still waiting to find out whether the FIA will decide to sanction the Austrian outfit when their verdict is announced on Monday.

The result of an FIA investigation into the financial data of all teams was initially supposed to be revealed on Wednesday, but it was pushed back shortly before the scheduled announcement time as they continue to work on the situation behind closed doors. The Sun have reported that Wolff has skipped this weekend’s race in order to lobby his point after leading calls for Red Bull to be dealt with alongside Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto, who has also not travelled to Suzuka.

Wolff told the Press Association on Friday night that he was not intending to be in the paddock in Japan to confirm that he will miss his first race since 2019 and only his second in nine years. He cited the sport’s demanding schedule as a factor in his decision, with a record-breaking 24 races set to be held over the course of next season after the additions of Las Vegas, China and Qatar to the calendar.

“I will start to skip a few races,” said Wolff. “The whole team needs to look at it. It is not sustainable for anyone to do 24 races. The drivers have to, but we start on Monday in the office and go through until the end of the week.

JUST IN: Verstappen takes swipe at Norris and accuses star of causing ‘problem’

“We need to find a solution, and I think the race team will skip a few races every year in order to survive. There are a few individuals that can take over some of my tasks. Not physically being at the race meeting doesn’t mean that I am not at the race.

“I have a full intercom setup. There is a race support room at the factory, and I will be part of every single debriefing. I just won’t be there physically.”

Mercedes trackside engineering director Andrew Shovlin has been conducting media duties in Wolff’s absence at Suzuka, with the Silver Arrows hoping to challenge Red Bull and Ferrari for victory when the five red lights go out on Sunday. They looked quick in the wet conditions on Friday but struggled to keep up in qualifying, with Hamilton and Russell being forced to settle for sixth and eighth respectively when pitted against the clock.

Showers are forecast for Sunday’s race, though, which suggests that Mercedes could be a competitive force if the conditions work in their favour over the course of the 53-lap contest. However, it remains to be seen whether they will be able to trouble pole-sitter Max Verstappen, who will finally rubber-stamp this year’s Drivers’ Championship title if he wins and takes the fastest lap of the race.

Follow our new Express Sport page on Instagram here.

Source: Read Full Article