It’s a familiar sight these days (picture above) in the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 pits, during a Grand Prix: Toto Wolff, the (very) big boss, is sitting, dark look behind his new glasses, in front of a screen, surrounded by former F1 and FE driver Jérôme d’Ambrosio – who nowadays is the Driver Development Director and who acquired, it’s certainly a coincidence, the same pair of glasses as Toto – and reserve driver Mick Schumacher.
Only Toto sits on a chair, the two others are standing slightly behind, respectfully, space is scarce in the pits. Jérôme d’Ambrosio is learning, next to the master himself, management skills required for a future important position, who knows? Mick Schumacher, on the other hand, tries to gain experience in a top-team, and hopes, with the help of Wolff, to land a full-time drive in F1 in 2024.
What strikes me, is that nobody seems to be allowed to smile (pictures above and below), or takes the liberty to do so, unless of course, if the big boss is doing so… It’s a serious business, Formula One, we are told…
Yes, of course, we understand that the stakes are high, and the stress levels too, but gentlemen, do not forget this is a sport, a spectacle, an entertainment, above all… so smile, you have the best jobs in the world!
