Mercedes boss Wolff to miss Brazilian Grand Prix

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff will be absent from the Brazilian Grand Prix to “focus on other open topics” with both Formula 1 world titles already wrapped up.

With Lewis Hamilton securing the F1 world drivers’ crown last time out at the United States Grand Prix, to complete a sixth consecutive double with Mercedes sealing the world constructors’ championship back at the Japanese round, there is little for the German manufacturer to fight for outside of pole positions and race wins.

Bearing this in mind, Wolff has confirmed he will not be at Interlagos for the Brazilian round with other commitments taking priority.

“Brazil will also be the first race since 2013 that I won’t attend,” Wolff said in Mercedes’ preview for the Brazilian GP. “With both championships secured, it gives me more time in Europe to focus on other open topics.

“It’s great to be able to do this and to know that the team will represent the three-pointed star in the best way possible both on and off the track.”

With Wolff dovetailing his Mercedes F1 role with being the head of its motorsport activities, he is set to oversee the German manufacturers’ first race in Formula E which takes place at Saudi Arabia the weekend after the Brazilian round. Technical director James Allison will be the most senior Mercedes team member in Sao Paulo.

Wolff has also paid tribute to the Mercedes factory members having celebrated its title double last week after returning from Unites States round and feels the team is already focusing on repeating the feat in 2020.

“Last week we had the chance to celebrate the championships with everyone at Brixworth and Brackley - the 1,500 men and women that form this amazing team and made this extraordinary success possible,” he said.

“It is always a special moment and this year’s was particularly special as our sixth consecutive double sets a new benchmark in our sport.

“But despite this record-breaking achievement, I still feel a lot of hunger and desire for more achievements. There’s no sense of complacency, everybody is still determined to keep on improving. It’s an inspiring group of people that fully lives up to the Mercedes aspiration of being the best.”

Lewis Hamilton’s Mercedes race engineer Pete Bonnington missed the Mexican GP due to a medical procedure and returned to action at the Circuit of the Americas to help the British driver seal his sixth F1 world title.