Wolff sells last shares in Williams team

Mar.10 (GMM) Toto Wolff has severed his last ties to the Williams team.

The Austrian entered F1 in 2009 when he bought into the British team and became a director.

He left in 2013 when he bought 30 per cent of Mercedes' new works team and became boss, promising to parent Daimler that he would end the conflict of interest by selling his shares in Williams.

In 2014, Wolff sold a third of his 15pc Williams stake to US private healthcare businessman Brad Hollinger, who subsequently bought another 5 per cent last year.

That left Wolff just short of a 5pc stake in Williams, but reports including in the Wall Street Journal say the 44-year-old is now no longer involved in any capacity with the Oxfordshire based team.

"Williams was my first investment in formula one bringing together my passion for racing and for business," Wolff told the International Business Times, "and so cutting my final business ties to Sir Frank and to the team is a huge moment for me.

"I am surprised how emotional I am about this day," he added.

Williams' majority owner and team boss Sir Frank Williams commented: "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."

Toto's wife, Susie Wolff, has also left Williams after several years as a test driver.