Toto Wolff Won’t Force Unwilling Mercedes Personnel to Work at Qatar and Abu Dhabi GPs

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has confirmed that employees will not be pressured to travel to the Middle East for Formula 1’s final two races amid safety concerns. The Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix are scheduled for late November and early December.

Speaking at the São Paulo Grand Prix, Wolff said: “If someone doesn’t feel comfortable, he or she doesn’t feel comfortable travelling, then that’s something that I would always respect.”

He explained that someone who chose not to travel would not face consequences in their working relationship with Mercedes. On the contrary, the Austrian said he would welcome the openness as it would give others a chance to work in the garage during a race weekend.

Toto Wolff Backs F1’s Safety Assessment

Formula 1 is due to visit Qatar before heading to Abu Dhabi for the season finale. A contingency plan involving Imola is reportedly being prepared in case the two Middle East events are canceled.

Wolff backed the approach taken by F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. He explained that the sport should consider international travel guidance, airline operations, warnings issued in the region and information shared by local governments.

The Mercedes boss also said Domenicali was monitoring developments. Wolff expects F1 and the FIA to act if the available information indicates that traveling has become more dangerous.

No Mercedes Employee Has Raised the Issue

The 54-year-old Wolff revealed that no one at Mercedes had approached him about staying away from either race.

“However, the absence of a request does not mean staff members would be expected to travel regardless of their concerns. Wolff made clear that he would respect an individual’s decision if someone later said they were uncomfortable going to the region.

“From what I’m hearing internally, it hasn’t been raised. It hasn’t been a topic. But also there, if someone feels they don’t feel comfortable, he or she doesn’t feel comfortable travelling, then it’s something that I would always respect,” Wolff said.

He also explained that such a choice would not affect the person’s relationship with the team. Mercedes could arrange for another employee to cover the role, potentially giving someone else an opportunity to attend the Grand Prix.

Toto Wolff Comments on MotoGP’s Qatar Dispute

The discussion followed a dispute in MotoGP over its Qatar Grand Prix. In an open show of dissent, 19 of the 22 riders signed a letter seeking assurances from the championship about responsibility if something went wrong.

The race was still set to proceed, while reports indicated that riders who refused to participate could face sanctions. However, MotoGP’s decision was not left to individual teams or drivers alone.

Wolff criticized riders who publicly discussed the geopolitical situation without, in his opinion, having enough knowledge of it. He argued that comments from people with large audiences could create media attention without necessarily providing a complete picture.

Wolff’s comments come in the midst of reports about F1 drivers being told not to voice concerns publicly.

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