Mercedes executive director Toto Wolff and non-executive chairman Niki Lauda have extended their deals with the team until 2020.
The team noted in a statement their new contracts “align with the expiration of the current Commercial Agreement with Formula One Management”.
Dieter Zetsche, chairman of the team’s parent company Daimler, praised the pair for their results since taking over the team in 2013. Mercedes have won all three constructors’ championships since and their drivers have taken a trio of titles. The team has won 51 of the last 59 grands prix.
“It’s great news that Toto and Niki have extended their agreements,” said Zetsche.
“In 2013, we restructured the management of the Team with the clear goal of improving our performance. Since then, however, the results have exceeded our expectations.”
“A key factor in this success has been the combination of Toto’s entrepreneurial skills and Niki’s experience. Their renewed commitment gives our programme important continuity for the next four years.”
Lauda said he and Wolff have a “perfect partnership” and that “the last few years have been some of the most enjoyable I have had in Formula One”.
Wolff continues to hold a 30% stake in the team while Lauda owns 10%. The remaining 60% is held by Daimler.
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Pat Ruadh (@fullcoursecaution)
20th February 2017, 13:36
“A key factor in this success has been the combination of Toto’s entrepreneurial skills and Niki’s experience. Their renewed commitment gives our programme important continuity for the next four years.”
A pat on the back for Toto and Nicki for all the hard work Ross Brawn put in!
And an honourable mention to the token system for cementing their advantage.
Graham (@guitargraham)
20th February 2017, 17:39
the chuckles and bozo show continues. the end of a race isnt the end of a race without one of these two saying something strange to the media that dominates the reports for the next few days
Fudge Kobayashi (@)
21st February 2017, 1:55
Lauda is a legend of the sport and says it like it is. If someone drives like an idiot, he will call them an idiot, F1 needs more colourful characters like him.
Toto is just the cookie cutter team principle spitting the corporate mantra, nothing new there although he annoys me far less than Horner did at the height of Red Bulls dominance.