“You’re next in line to quit,” Toto Wolff takes a cheeky swipe at Christian Horner following Franz Tost’s exit

In a recent press conference ahead of the Miami Grand Prix, Toto Wolff, the Mercedes Team Principal, threw a sarcastic comment in Christian Horner‘s direction. It was in reference to the upcoming departure of AlphaTauri Team Principal Franz Tost and the length of time he had been in the role.

During the press conference, Toto Wolff addressed both Tost and Horner, stating, “Are you the longest-standing, or are you the longest-standing team principal? Okay, so you’re next in line to quit – that would make life easier!” The comment was made in a joking manner, and Wolff was alluding to the fact that Horner would be the only longest-serving team principal after Franz Tost‘s departure.

Wolff’s statement was made in good humour, and there is no animosity between the two team owners. It’s worth mentioning, though, that Wolff and Christian Horner have had a rocky relationship over the years. This rivalry peaked during the 2021 season, when the two traded nasty remarks. Since then, their interactions have been mostly courteous, with the odd funny comment tossed in for good measure. It’s hardly unexpected that they have a rivalry being two of the most successful and wealthy team leaders on the circuit.

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Toto Wolff recounts his early coaching days at the same school as Franz Tost

Toto even recalled his and fellow Austrian’s and their early days of racing at the Osterreichring and serving as the instructors at the same school saying, “[Tost and I] are obviously both Austrians, [and] we have a past where we started racing on the old Osterreichring, both instructors in the same racing school, but we missed each other by a few years.”

Both Tost and Wolff have a background in racing. Tost raced in Formula Ford and Formula Three and even won the Austrian Formula Ford Championship in 1983. Similarly, Wolff began his motorsport career in the Austrian Formula Ford Championship in 1992 and drove in the Austrian and German Formula Ford Championships in 1993 and 1994.

Christian Horner and Toto Wolff were often at loggerheads in the past as well

It’s no secret that Wolff and Horner have had a rollercoaster relationship over the years, with their rivalry taking a particularly nasty turn during the 2021 season. However, their exchanges have been relatively civil since then, with the occasional witty remark thrown in for good measure. It’s worth noting that they are also the two most successful and wealthiest team principals on the grid.

Horner has been the team principal for Red Bull since the team’s inception in 2005. When Red Bull acquired the Jaguar F1 team, Horner was brought on as the team principal. Since then, he has led the team to four drivers’ championships and four constructors’ championships. He has a reputation for being a shrewd manager. He has been credited with nurturing the talents of some of the sport’s most successful drivers, including Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen.

With Tost set to depart, Horner will become the longest-serving team principal on the grid, followed by Wolff himself. It’s worth noting that Red Bull have recently dethroned Mercedes as the top team in the sport, and they look set to continue their winning ways in the coming season. Mercedes will have their work cut out to catch up with the energy drink-powered team. 

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