F1: Wolff Gives Up Williams Role

Austrian will keep his Williams shares...

Adam Cooper | http://www.speedtv.com | Posted January 21, 2013 Balen (BEL)

Toto Wolff, former Executive Director, Williams, shown at the 2012 Singapore Grand Prix. (Photo: LAT Photographic)

In the light of his move to Mercedes Toto Wolff is giving up his seat on the Williams board – although the Austrian will keep his shareholding.

Wolff became an increasingly influential figure at the team over the course of last season, acting as its de facto boss at races when Frank Williams was absent.

The team said today: “Toto will be relinquishing his seat on the Company’s Board of Directors but will retain his shareholding. Team Principal and majority shareholder Sir Frank Williams will continue to oversee the running of the Company with Toto’s responsibilities being shared between members of the Board’s Executive Committee.”

Meanwhile Frank Williams commented; ‘’I would like to thank Toto for his hard work, dedication and commitment to the team during his time as a Director of the Company. He was a key support to me as Executive Director last season, deputizing at a number of races when I was unable to attend.

“However, positions such as the one offered to him by Mercedes do not come around often. Toto has a long history with them and I certainly was not going to stand in the way of him accepting this once in a lifetime opportunity. Toto will retain his shareholding in Williams and will always have a place at Grove but make no mistake; we will fight him hard on the racetrack!

“I am sure he will be a strong asset for Mercedes and on behalf of the whole team I would like to wish him the best of luck in his new role. I’m lucky to have a very professional group of people around me and the Company’s Executive Committee will continue the work they have been doing to ensure a successful future for the business.”

Adam Cooper notched up his 28th season as a racing journalist in 2012. He has written about F1 for SPEED.com since 2005. Follow him on Twitter.