Wolff odchodzi z Williamsa, ale zachowuje udziały

Zespół Williams potwierdził, że dotychczasowy dyrektory wykonawczy zespołu Toto Wolff opuścił zespół, aby objąć posadę szefa sportów motorowych w Mercedesie. W krótkim oświadczeniu prasowym Frank Williams podziękował Wolfowi za wspólną pracę oraz zaznaczył, że Austriak zachowa swoje udziały w zespole.

Oświadczenie prasowe zespołu Williams:

21 January 2013. Grove, UK. Williams Grand Prix Holdings PLC (WGPH, Ticker: WGF1) today announced that Toto Wolff, one of its Executive Directors, will be leaving the Company with immediate effect to take up a new role with Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.

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.

Speaking about Toto Wolff’s departure Sir 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, deputising 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.”

W tym samym czasie światło dzienne ujrzało oświadczenie wydane przez Mercedesa, które precyzuje rolę, jaką Wolff będzie pełnił w strukturze koncernu. Dowiadujemy się z niego, że Austriak nie tylko będzie dyrektorem wykonawczym zespołu F1, ale również współudziałowcem. W dużym skrócie Wolff, wspólnie z Brawnem oraz Laudą (który też otrzymał udziały w zespole) będzie stał na czele zespołu Mercedes Grand Prix.

Poniżej znajdziecie oświadczenie prasowe, wydane przez Mercedesa:

“Daimler AG plans to reorganize its Formula 1 activities. In this context, Daimler has signed a letter of intent with Austrian investor and motorsport manager Toto Wolff, according to which Wolff will acquire a significant minority interest in the Daimler subsidiary Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd. (MGP) and will also head that company as its executive director. Furthermore, Niki Lauda, currently non-executive chairman of MGP, will also acquire a stake in the company. Together with Ross Brawn, Lauda and Wolff will complete the management of the Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 racing team.”

Dr Dieter Zetsche, Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars and Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG, explained: “As an entrepreneur, investor and motorsport manager, Toto Wolff has proven that this sport runs in his blood; at the same time, he is also well aware of the economic necessities of the business.

“With Toto Wolff, we have gained for our Formula 1 team not only an experienced motorsport specialist, but also a longstanding enthusiast of the Mercedes-Benz brand. Together with him and Niki Lauda, we will further develop our motorsport activities and guide our Silver Arrows into the next era.”

Wolff said: “Mercedes is one of the most important participants in motorsport worldwide. I am not only a big fan, but also a longstanding friend and enthusiast of the brand. I am looking forward to the challenge and, along with preparing for a successful racing season, also want to focus on the targeted promotion of new talent.

“I am leaving Williams on good terms and I will miss the team and friends I have made there. I’d also like to wish Frank and the whole of Williams the best of luck for the future.”