Toto Wolff, the Austrian billionaire motorsports executive, investor, and former racer, is widely recognized as the Team Principal and CEO of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team, in which he holds a 33% stake. Toto Wolff’s journey in motorsport commenced with his participation in the German Formula Ford Series and the Austrian Formula Ford Championship. Following his victory in his division at the 1994 24 Hours of Nürburgring, he ventured into the FIA GT Championship and the Italian GT Championship. In addition to his motorsport endeavors, Toto Wolff initially focused on Internet and technology companies. He established Marchfifteen Investments in 1998 and later founded Marchsixteen Investments in 2004. His investment strategy has been geared towards mid-sized industrial and publicly traded businesses, with notable investments including Williams F1 and German HWA AG.
Who Is Toto Wolff?
Born on January 12, 1972, in Vienna, Austria, Toto Wolff’s parents hail from diverse backgrounds – his mother is of Polish descent, and his father is Romanian. His mother pursued a career as a doctor, and Toto’s parents took pride in their son’s achievements. Toto Wolff’s upbringing was in Vienna, where he received his education at the prestigious Lycee Français de Vienne. Tragically, when Toto Wolff was just eight years old, his father was diagnosed with brain cancer. The subsequent challenges led to his parents’ separation. At the tender age of 15, Toto Wolff lost his father to the illness.
He continued his education at the “Lycée Français de Vienne” in Vienna. At 17, a turning point in his life occurred when he was invited to witness a friend’s race at the Nürburgring circuit in Germany. This experience ignited his passion for motorsport. Toto then persuaded his mother to financially support his racing aspirations, selling his own vehicle to purchase a “Seat Ibiza” to compete in the “Seat Ibiza Cup,” demonstrating his unwavering determination to pursue a racing career. His racing journey continued with participation in the German and Austrian Formula Ford championships, where his outstanding driving skills began to garner recognition and financial support. Unfortunately, his racing career encountered a setback in 1994 when his sponsors withdrew their backing.
Toto Wolff’s family background is a blend of diverse origins. He was born in Vienna, Austria, to parents Torger Christian Wolff and his mother, who worked as a Polish anesthetist. His family heritage includes a mix of Austrian and Romanian roots. Toto Wolff is married to Susie Wolff, a former racing driver. Their paths first crossed when Toto was in charge of “HWA,” and Susie was competing for “Mercedes” in the German Touring Car Series (DTM). They exchanged their vows on October 15, 2011. Their marriage has been blessed with two children, including their son Jack Wolff, who was born on April 10, 2017. Beyond his involvement in racing and business, Toto Wolff is notable for his philanthropic work. He serves as the vice chairman of the “Mary Bendet Foundation,” an organization dedicated to improving the lives of disadvantaged children. The foundation focuses on enhancing playgrounds, residential facilities, and daycare centers, providing scholarships to talented children, and establishing facilities for children with disabilities.
Toto Wolff’s journey in motorsport commenced in the early 1990s when he participated in the German and Austrian Formula Ford championships. His entry into motorsport began in 1992 with his participation in the Austrian Formula Ford Championship. One of his career highlights came in 1994 when he achieved victory in his division at the prestigious 24 Hours of Nürburgring race. Throughout his career, Toto Wolff ventured into various racing series. In 2002, he competed in the FIA GT Championship, winning a race and securing a sixth-place overall finish in the N-GT division. His career continued in the Italian GT Championship in 2003, and in 2004, he teamed up with Lorenzo Case to secure a race victory. Wolff also participated in the FIA GT Championship alongside his teammate.