Wolff: 'In 2022 different driver combinations are possible at Mercedes'.

Toto Wolff spoke to Speedweek.com about the driver line-up for his team in 2022, as well as his prognosis for the impact that the corona pandemic could have on the current season.

Toto Wolff was asked about Valttteri Bottas' future with the Mercedes team, as George Russell is knocking on the door and eager to drive for the German team. French driver Esteban Ocon is also still officially under contract at Mercedes, but is currently on loan to Alpine F1. "It is still too early to talk about scenarios for 2022," the Mercedes Motorsport director notes. "Ocon is currently in the second year of a two-year contract with Alpine F1 and Russell is still with Williams this year. There are different variations possible in the future, but until then we give our full support to Lewis and Valtteri."

Corona and the 2021 season

Just like last year, there is a lot of uncertainty about the course of the upcoming Formula One season. Australia, the opening race for many years, has been moved to a later date and Bahrain has been brought forward. Will more races be moved or even cancelled? What about travel? Wolff: "It is all still like looking into a crystal ball. It largely depends on the vaccination process in most countries. I think in two or three months we will be in a much better position and this will make the situation easier." Toto Wolff is also not too worried about whether the globetrotting Formula One circus will continue to be able to travel the world: "The race exemption still applies to British teams. We have a strict protocol that we will have to comply with in the deepest detail, which we do."

The future of Toto Wolff

Finally, Toto Wolff also spoke about his future. How long will the 49-year-old Austrian remain active for the German racing stable? "I am still a shareholder and that will not change. Besides, I still enjoy my role as team principal and motorsport director." Yet Toto Wolff knows that this too will come to an end one day: "There will come a time when younger, eager managers will take over. Until then I will try to put the team in the best possible position."