Mercedes chief Toto Wolff leaves F1 rival speechless with remark over his weight

23 February 2024 , 07:20

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Toto Wolff's comments were documented on Drive to Survive (Image: ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP via Getty Images)

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff pointed out that Formula 1 rival and good friend Fred Vasseur had lost weight ahead of his first season as Ferrari team principal.

Wolff and Vasseur have a strong relationship, one of the closest between team principals on the grid. In 2023, Frenchman Vasseur succeeded Mattia Binotto as Ferrari's team principal, having arrived from Sauber.

As seen during the first episode of Netflix's sixth season of Drive to Survive, the pair were spotted speaking at the Sakhir International Circuit. In French, Austrian Wolff remarked to a surprised Vasseur: "I saw your tummy is getting smaller and smaller."

"What?" the Ferrari boss replied. "Your tummy is getting less and less, isn't it?" Wolff, 52, reaffirmed. Vasseur wasn't convinced though, asking: "Really, you think?" The Mercedes chief then doubled down and said: "Yes, I can see it."

"Maybe it's the red?" Vasseur mused, gesturing to his polo shirt. "No, it's slim fit here. You know how they do it, like that?" Wolff reiterated.

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The duo then shared a laugh and 55-year-old Vasseur foreshadowed their conversation being shown around the world. "You shouldn't have done that! That will be on Netflix!" he added.

Wolff and Vasseur are said to retain a good relationship, even after Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton's shock decision to join rivals Ferrari at the end of this season. In an interview with sport.de, Red Bull advisor Helmut Marko suggested that Hamilton's move could "stain" the pari's relationship, but Wolff isn't in any doubt.

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Toto Wolff and Fred Vasseur are good friends (GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images)

"I have great respect for Fred, not only as a racing manager but also as a long-time friend," the Mercedes team principal explained. "But when he took the role in Ferrari, it was clear that he needs to do the best he can for Ferrari and use every opportunity in order to do that.

"So, there is no bad feeling towards Fred trying to get the best employees, the best drivers. So that has no effect on the relationship. It is a tough competition. It is a cut-throat environment. And as much as I try to do the best for our group, he will do that for Ferrari."

Vasseur isn't keen to speak about Hamilton until 2025, however, as the ex-Sauber managing director and CEO told reporters on Thursday: "We have to put the subject of Hamilton to bed, please. We should now concentrate fully on the upcoming 2024 GP season. I will be happy to talk about Hamilton when the 2025 season approaches."

"Of course it's good for us to know what our future looks like. But for me, the focus is now on the year with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz. Nobody can sugarcoat the fact that we had a difficult year in 2023. But I think it was a difficult season for everyone - with the exception of Red Bull."

Harry Smith