09/03/2016
NEWS STORY
Toto Wolff has sold his remaining shares in Williams Grand Prix Holdings.
The Austrian, who since 2013 has been Motorsport boss at Mercedes, first invested in Williams in 2009.
News of his decision to sell his remaining stake in the Grove team to US healthcare executive Brad Hollinger came in an official statement issued today, the American having now bought all of Wolff's original (15%) stake, having bought 5% in 2014 and a further 5% last year.
"I am surprised how emotional I am about this day," said Wolff in a statement, "to be cutting my final business ties to Sir Frank and to the team at Williams.
"I am proud to have joined the sport with a team of true passionate racers, where we had to make spot-on decisions for the future of the business and its employees; I learned some lessons the hard way, but they were all valuable for understanding the industry.
"Today, I look back with pride on the first ever IPO of an F1 team in Frankfurt, and can see the next generation of the Williams family leading the team into a bright future.
"The plan to sell my stake was a long-term one agreed with Daimler in 2013, but it was always important to find the right investor, who was doing it for the right reasons.
"Brad is that guy: he's a serious businessman with the right long-term perspective about Williams and Formula One - and a true passion for racing. I wish him and everybody at Williams all the best for the future.
"I will always remember this period with thanks for the lessons I learned from Sir Frank and his team - it was a great privilege to be part of the Williams story."
"Toto has become a great friend of Williams over the past few years and we thank him for his contribution in what has been a time of great transformation for our company since he first invested in 2009," added Frank Williams.
"Given his role at Mercedes-Benz, a full divestment in Toto's shareholding became inevitable and we thank him for this judiciousness in only selling to a suitable buyer when the time was right.
"In Brad Hollinger, Toto has sold his full shareholding to a highly successful businessman with an immense passion for Formula One and our team - he is a great asset."
Wolff is understood to own a 30% stake Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix, which he has led to successive drivers' and constructors' titles.