Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff hasn’t been shy when it comes to sharing his opinions on certain matters within Formula 1.
Toto Wolff is an extremely successful businessman away from Formula 1, and his investment in Mercedes has seen them become a leading force on the grid.
Lewis Hamilton won six drivers’ championships with the Silver Arrows, while Nico Rosberg added a title of his own to the team’s tally, alongside the eight consecutive constructors’ championships they achieved between 2014 and 2021.
CATEGORYVOL.RANKRaces2461stChampionships61stRace wins841stPole positions781stPodiums1531stLewis Hamilton at Mercedes, 2013-2024
F1 has quickly changed direction in recent years, both in terms of the regulations on the sporting side and the growing popularity of the sport around the world.
Mohammed Ben Sulayem has been FIA president during that time, and is up for reelection at the end of the year.
Ben Sulayem recently suggested a change Mercedes might not agree with when it comes to the future direction of the regulations, which are already changing next year.
However, Wolff was previously outspoken about the introduction of an 11th team to the paddock in the form of Cadillac, but has now u-turned on his suspicions about expanding the grid by adding an extra two cars.
READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 CEO and team principal Toto Wolff
Photo by Beata Zawrzel/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesToto Wolff has changed his mind on Mohammed Ben Sulayem allowing Cadillac to join Formula 1
The idea of an 11th team joining Formula 1 has been floated for some time.
In an interview with Motorsport in 2022, when the Cadillac project was still known as Andretti, Wolff explained: “Andretti is a name that’s for sure, and the American market is important. But every team that is joining needs to be accretive, that means [they] need to add value.
“And it’s not only by paying $200 million [£149m] entry fee, but it needs to demonstrate, in my opinion, what it can do for the other teams, for F1 and FIA. Only then the sport will grow.
“We are the absolute pinnacle, this is the Champions League, or the NFL, and redistributing franchises is not the goal, that’s not how it should be, and it’s not the intention of F1 and the FIA either.
“But if there is a real brand coming in with good people, necessary funding, not only the 200 million, but probably you need more like a billion if you want to play in this club straight from the get-go. And then why not?”
However, speaking to Autosport at the 2025 Austrian Grand Prix, Wolff admitted: “You can’t deny that he’s ruling with an iron fist.
“He doesn’t let anyone tell him what to do. That can have its advantages.”
Wolff went on to say that Ben Sulayem “probably got it right with the 11th team.”
He also suggested that it “is good for the sport. So something positive came out of it,” after Ben Sulayem pushed hard for an 11th team to be added to the grid.
READ MORE: All to know about General Motors’ Cadillac F1 team from engine to drivers
Cadillac are looking at a potential Mercedes connection with their first Formula 1 driver line-up
One of the biggest decisions Cadillac have to make before the start of next season is who will drive for them in 2026.
Cadillac have been closely linked with signing Valtteri Bottas, who is currently Mercedes’ reserve driver.
Wolff doesn’t manage Bottas directly, but has acted as a mentor for much of his career, and would be happy to let him leave to take a race seat.
There’s also another potential Mercedes-Cadillac connection ahead of next season.
TEAMDRIVER 1DRIVER 2AlpinePierre GaslyN/AAston MartinFernando AlonsoLance StrollAudiGabriel BortoletoNico HulkenbergCadillacN/AN/AFerrariCharles LeclercLewis HamiltonHaasEsteban OconOliver BearmanMcLarenLando NorrisOscar PiastriMercedesN/AN/ARacing BullsN/AN/ARed Bull RacingMax VerstappenN/AWilliamsAlex AlbonCarlos Sainz2026 confirmed F1 drivers
F1 Oversteer understands Frederik Vesti is an option for Cadillac, as his chances of making it to F1 with Mercedes look very slim.
If either driver is signed by Cadillac, Wolff will be pleased with the role Mercedes have played in their careers.
It’s interesting to hear that before the American outfit have even made their debut, Wolff has changed his mind on their potential impact on the sport.