The questions have been asked continuously for years: How is the long-term dominance of Mercedes and now six times World Champion Lewis Hamilton possible in Formula 1? Why do not the competitors manage to sustainably catch up with the Silver Arrows?
Especially in comparison to Ferrari is the answer: Because there is no boss like Toto Wolff at the Italian team (read here a review of the season 2019, in which Ferrari made too many mistakes).
Six Constructors World Championships in a row, plus six drivers world title for a team boss - this has never been. Six team titles in succession also brought Jean Todt as Ferrari boss from 1999 to 2004, but he lacks a driver's title in the balance sheet. More titles than Wolff have only Ron Dennis (ten drivers, seven constructors' titles) and Frank Williams (7/9).
Clive Mason / AFP
Toto Wolff is one of the leading opinion makers in Formula One
"As we embarked on this journey into the new turbo hybrid era, we decided to win regular races and, sooner or later, have a say in the title," Wolff says about 2014, when engine technology changed has been. Six years later, it is clear that Mercedes could win all world titles.
Here, the Austrian, who has come as an investor to assets in the mid triple-digit million range, experienced as a team boss a bumpy start. After he had taken over officially in January 2013, together with the deceased in May 2019 Niki Lauda the direction of the Silver Arrows, him undercut in the highly competitive Formula 1 business still mistakes. Once, for example, he expressed himself to a team boss colleagues in a seemingly private conversation a little too clearly about members of the Mercedes boardroom - not realizing that this would record the conversation secretly to bring it into circulation.
So Ferrari gave the advantage from the hand
Surprise: Formula One has been starting in Australia for years. At the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, Ferrari is considered a favorite ahead of the 2019 season due to impressions from the test drives. But it happens differently. Valtteri Bottas (photo) wins in front of Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton - and Formula One puzzles: will the Finn in his third year in the Silver Arrows for the title drive?
Only a spark of hope: The track in Bahrain is Ferrari, Sebastian Vettel had won there in 2017 and 2018. And since the test drives it is clear that the Scuderia has the best engine in the field. So it is not surprising that Charles Leclerc drives in the pole position. But in the race, it suggests how diverse the problems are at Ferrari. Leclerc falls back in third place with technical problems shortly before the end, and Vettel loses and passes his front wing after a spin.
In top form: defending champion Lewis Hamilton thanks after the Chinese Grand Prix with his fans. The Briton overtook teammate Bottas in second after qualifying at the start and did not relinquish the lead. Hamilton is in first place of the championship ranking for the first time in the season.
Alfa in the Old Town: It remains the most controversial race in Formula 1. In the Azerbaijani capital of Baku , the fourth World Cup race is held and the Formula 1 offers the autocratic president Ilham Aliyev the opportunity to fascinating images from the medieval Old Town in the world (here Kimi Raikkonen in Alfa Romeo) to send. Sporty again Bottas wins Hamilton - it is the fourth double victory for Mercedes.
Just do not look: the Spanish Grand Prix in Barcelona is to be the turning point for Ferrari - and is a debacle. In the first race in Europe, the teams are unpacking the first updates, and Sebastian Vettel hopes to return to the top. Instead, he pulls himself in a braking maneuver at the start of a so-called brake plates, his team leaves him anyway long outside to screw up the pit stop. Mercedes celebrates the fifth double victory and Vettel knows that it will be nothing with the fifth world title.
"With the spirit of Niki": Six days before the race in Monaco died Formula 1 legend Niki Lauda . For Mercedes it is a special race, Lauda had decisively influenced the victories of the silver arrows of the past years as chairman of the racing team. Hamilton also wins the sixth race of the season, this time ahead of Vettel. "That was the toughest race I've ever had," says Hamilton at the finish. "I fought Niki's mind today, we tried to stay focused and make him proud."
Outraged: The 48th round of the Canadian Grand Prix explains well why Ferrari has no realistic chance of winning the world title. Vettel gets the first pole position of the season. He leads the race for a long time. Hamilton is getting closer and closer. Vettel loses control under pressure, gets off the track and hinder Hamilton on return. Vettel gets compliant a five-second penalty and loses the victory to Hamilton. The rest is anger, incomprehension and overreaction. Vettel even places second in the finish in front of Hamilton's car.
Formula boredom: In the eighth race of the season wins in Le Castellet for the eighth time Mercedes, it is the sixth double victory. Afterwards, the discussion picks up speed as the Formula 1 can be made more exciting again. The result is a new set of rules from the 2021 season, which forces the teams to a budget cover. But it is already clear: The structural advantages of Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull will not change.
Verstappen-Sternstunde: Only a week after the Grand Prix in France, Formula 1 shows a different face - thanks to Max Verstappen . The Red Bull driver repeatedly hints at his great talent, but can not retrieve the constant. At the home race of his racing team, he struggles from seventh to the top, overtaking Vettel, Bottas and Leclerc on the track.
Flying Dutchman: At the British Grand Prix at Silverstone the gap from Vettel to Hamilton is growing to 100 points. The German lands in 15th place because he lies in third place Verstappen drives into the rear, damaged his car and receives a ten-second penalty. "I thought I had a chance on the inside, but then it was too tight and too late and could not react in time," says Vettel afterwards.
Kubica in luck: Before the season was discussed, whether Robert Kubica due to the lack of strength and flexibility of his right arm is a security risk. The Pole gets the cockpit at Williams because of his sponsorship, athletic, he can not keep up. Kubica loses every qualifying duel against his teammate George Russell and is regularly outclassed in the races. At the Grand Prix of Germany , he benefits from the many failures and gets in tenth the only championship point.
Finally summer break: With this feeling Ferrari goes into the four-week break of Formula 1 in the twelfth race of the season on the Hungaroring wins Lewis Hamilton for the eighth time (photo). The Italian team wants to gather and make better use of the speed advantages in the second part of the season.
Sport in the background: In fact, Ferrari manages the hoped for comeback at the Grand Prix of Belgium in Spa-Francorchamps. But Charles Leclerc's first Formula 1 victory of the career becomes a minor matter. In Formula 2, which is also in Spa, there is a serious accident, the Frenchman Anthoine Hubert succumbs shortly after his injuries. The mother and the brother mourn the following day at a minute's silence (photo) - the Formula 1 continues afterwards anyway.
Home win: One week after the win in Belgium, Leclerc wins again at the Italian Grand Prix , and the Ferrari community releases its emotions. It is too late for the World Cup title, but the Reds believe in themselves again.
Latency finished: Sebastian Vettel enjoys the champagne on the podium in Singapore. It has been over a year since the 32-year-old won a race. Optimists start counting six remaining races to see if Ferrari can attack Mercedes in the championship standings.
The answer: Who has Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes to the opponent, should not be happy too soon. The pole position goes to Leclerc for the fourth time in a row at the Russian Grand Prix . In the race, the Monegasse Vettel gives lee and loses the lead, Vettel does not follow the agreement, Leclerc to pass again. In this skirmish Hamilton retains the rest and wins the race before Bottas and Leclerc.
Beginning of a jubilation marathon: The Japanese Grand Prix is dominated by the typhoon Hagibis, which prevents qualifying on Saturday. Vettel picks up the pole position, but a bad start allows Bottas pass - another Vettel error gives Mercedes the next victory. The Silver Arrows secure themselves prematurely the World Championship of the Designers.
Elevator for the winner: Formula 1 owner Liberty Media has always had to put up with the accusation of putting show effects too much in the foreground instead of promoting real competition via the rules and regulations. The new rules are there now, in 2021 you will know if the plans are working. The show has to continue until then, at the race in Mexico, winner Hamilton is raised with his car by elevator on the podium.
Schumacher in the spotlight: Lewis Hamilton is Formula 1 world champion for the sixth time. Although he misses his 84th career success at the US Grand Prix , the records of Michael Schumacher are palpable: the Formula 1 legend is in seven World Cup titles and 91 Grand Prix victories - in the coming season, Hamilton in 22 Race the chance to set the records or even beat Schumacher.
Even then, Wolff managed to argue the internal problems resulting from this affair out of the way. And he learned quickly, Wolff was now more cautious. Since then, the trust of the Stuttgart boardroom has been growing steadily, above all because the merger with Wolff-Lauda brought Mercedes success.
The two - albeit not always in line - shared the tasks and skillfully played the balls to: Legend Lauda worked outward, maker Wolff inside. If it was about creating a favorable environment for the Mercedes team, Lauda had his good contacts with former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone or other partners such as tire manufacturer Pirelli. Wolff in turn used his diplomatic talent to smooth out the waves at the Mercedes managers, if Lauda had proceeded too vigorously.
Asked about his share of the success story, the boss refers to his many employees, whether at the races or at the factory in Brackley, UK. "I know how much hard work has been done," says Wolff about teamwork at Mercedes. "There have also been setbacks and painful moments, but the team has repeatedly rallied and reacted, and I'm very proud of the whole team."
Hamilton follows Schumacher
Ayrton Senna won in the McLaren the world title in 1988, 1990 and 1991. The Brazilian won a total of 41 races in Formula 1 Senna died in 1994 at the race in Imola. He is still considered the most talented and fastest Formula One driver of history.
Senna's compatriot Nelson Piquet also celebrated three world titles, but in two different teams. In 1981 and 1983 Piquet drove for Brabham, followed in 1987 by a triumph with Williams.
Niki Lauda started his career in Formula 1 in 1971 and remained in the sport until his death in 2019 in various functions. Most recently, he was involved in the successes of recent years as Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Mercedes racing team. His three world title as a driver won Lauda in Ferrari (1975 and 1977) and 1984 in the McLaren.
A Formula 1 legend who still likes to visit racetracks today: Jackie Stewart also won three world titles in 1969, 1971 and 1973. He is the oldest surviving Formula 1 World Champion.
Jack Brabham drove 15 years in Formula 1. His first two titles (1959, 1969) won the Australian for Cooper. It followed a third title in 1966 in the self-founded Brabham team. All in all, 14 race victories were enough for three world championships.
Alain Prost fought many legendary duels with Ayrton Senna. The Frenchman won three titles with McLaren (1985, 1986, 1989) and relocated in 1993 in Williams a fourth World Cup.
Sebastian Vettel is still the youngest Formula 1 world champion in history, he won his first title in Red Bull in 2010, followed by three more World Championships before joining Ferrari in 2015. In five years Vettel won 14 races for the Scuderia, the world title but he did not bring to Maranello.
Juan Manuel Fangio has been a world champion for a long time. His five titles (1951 and 1954-1957) for four different teams (Alfa Romeo, Maserati, Mercedes, Ferrari) was considered an eternal record - until Michael Schumacher came.
Lewis Hamilton is on his way to breaking many apparently invulnerable records in F1. In Austin he crowned himself world champion for the sixth time, next year he aims for the seventh title. The Briton is already leading the pole position (87) ahead of Schumacher (68). In race wins, Hamilton (83) is only eight times behind Schumacher (91).
Ferrari legend Michael Schumacher still holds the title of world champion. After his two early successes with Benetton (1994 and 1995) he moved to Ferrari and managed in 2000 in his fifth year at the Scuderia to get the first title. It was followed by four more World Championships in series. In a ski accident in 2013, Schumacher injured his head. Since then he has withdrawn from the public.
The perspective from the cockpit Wolff is also not foreign. And even if his greatest talents despite training in the well-known racing driver school of his Austrian compatriot Walter Lechner were not on the track, so help the hobby racer his insights but to better understand the driver, to let Lewis Hamilton about the liberties, the free spirit with interests for music, fashion or animal welfare needs.
Fridays for Future and Formula 1 are not mutually exclusive
Wolff also knows how to think outside the box, for example in the climate and environmental debate - a difficult topic in the resource-wasting formula 1. Wolff emphasizes that his two children are active at Fridays for Future - and he does that pretty well As well as the commitment of his star pilot Hamilton, who wants to live climate neutral by the end of the year. Initiatives of the formula 1 for the improvement of the life cycle assessment will be published soon.
The 47-year-old, who was already traded as successor to Formula 1 boss Chase Carey in the summer, has long since become one of the most important political figures in Formula 1. Wolff is also involved in the driver market with the placement of Mercedes juniors important votes, he forms alliances. The 47-year-old brought about when the question of whether the tire rules should be adjusted in the current season, not only the Mercedes customer teams on his side but also Renault and McLaren.
At some point the dominance of Mercedes will end, Wolff knows that too. But a relaxed reclining did not exist in the past few years - and that should remain so. "It's hard to tell what kind of pressure you are under, and most of all, we're putting ourselves under pressure. We demand a lot from ourselves, and if those expectations are not met, it hurts," says Wolff. "I'm convinced that one of the elemental strengths of this racing team is to sit up and defeat after defeat, and if you can do that and then win both titles again, it will create very powerful emotions."
2020 will be a mid-season, given the subsequent regulatory reform. More Mercedes successes are very likely.
