Toto Wolff replacement announced ahead of 2025 Japanese GP

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff will once again miss the Japanese Grand Prix in 2025, following a similar absence during the 2024 race at Suzuka. The team has confirmed that Wolff will be working remotely for this race weekend, citing the demands of the 24-race Formula 1 calendar as the primary reason for his decision to step back from his trackside duties.



In his absence, Mercedes’ Chief Communications Officer, Bradley Lord, will take on the responsibility of representing the team at Suzuka. Lord will carry out trackside commitments, including media interactions and other important tasks throughout the weekend.



Wolff’s absence is not unexpected, as it was a pre-planned decision, and it is assumed that he will return to his regular role as team principal at the Bahrain Grand Prix, the following weekend.



Mercedes’ Solid Start to 2025 Season While Wolff’s absence at the Japanese Grand Prix may be noteworthy, Mercedes have enjoyed a positive start to the 2025 Formula 1 season, despite not being the pre-season favorites for the championship.



The team has stood on the podium in both of the season’s first two races, with George Russell securing third place in both the Australian and Chinese Grands Prix. Russell’s consistent performances have kept him within striking distance of Max Verstappen in the drivers’ standings, with just one point separating the two.



Rookie driver Kimi Antonelli, who replaced Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, has also made an impressive debut. Antonelli finished in fourth place in Melbourne and sixth in Shanghai, showing strong consistency and further solidifying his position ahead of his predecessor, Hamilton, in the driver standings.



Antonelli Eyes History in Japan Looking ahead to the Japanese Grand Prix, Antonelli will have an opportunity to make history. If the young driver secures a victory at Suzuka, he could become the youngest-ever Formula 1 race winner, breaking Max Verstappen’s record. Verstappen’s current record stands at 18 years and 228 days, but Antonelli’s chance to surpass this mark will be gone after April 8, making the Japanese race a critical moment in his career.
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