Toto Wolff has revealed a specific “problem” that made negotiating new deals for Lewis Hamilton at Formula 1 giants Mercedes, something he “hated” doing.
The Austrian enjoyed the luxury of having Hamilton as his driver for 11 years, and together, they achieved the greatest driver-team parntership in F1 history.
Six Drivers’ Championships for Hamilton and eight Constructors’ titles for the German marque was a glowing indication of the fruitful partnership the two men enjoyed.
In doing so, both Wolff and Hamilton became close friends off the track, and remain so to this day.
However, the friendship element was tested by the naturally awkward byproduct of thrashing out contracts, with both men wanting what was best for their respective side.
“It always makes things more complicated when you negotiate with someone who is your ally,” Wolff told Formula.hu. “Someone whose goals are very close to yours.
“For example, Lewis and I, that was always a problem. We were best friends for two and a half years, we agreed 100 percent, we shared our private lives and everything.”
Wolff revealed that hiring an intermediary figure was ultimately a wise decision, to prevent any potential squabbling.
“Then came the two-month period of negotiations. We both hated it,” Wolff revealed. “Why? Because in that situation, you might not agree.
“Finally we changed and brought in someone who did this job, so the situation was resolved in a few days.
“That’s why it’s always going to be complicated with all the drivers. On the one hand, you want to maintain a good relationship.
“On the other hand, negotiations are sometimes tough, and it’s difficult when the other side is an emotional athlete, not someone who deals with this every day.”
Wolff looks out for Mercedes but insists he is ‘fair’
Former Mercedes driver-turned TV pundit Nico Rosberg recently described Wolff as “horrible to negotiate with,” claiming he would become difficult to get hold of at vital stages.
Wolff refuted these accusations from Rosberg, intimating that whilst he wants what’s best for the driver, his priorities are also with the organisation.
“No, I think I’m fair,” he said.
“I think we should always put ourselves in the other person’s shoes. So I give my soul to the other side and think, if I were them, what would I want to achieve?
“Then I ask myself, what is fair in this situation? What do I think would be the right thing to do?
“I consider that and try to find the right balance, but obviously there are times when both parties want to optimize this and that, and that can make things complicated.”
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