Wolff and Hamilton have dominated Formula 1® since signing with Mercedes-AMG in 2012.

It takes a lot to impress Lewis Hamilton. The five-time world champion (at the time of writing – now six-time world champion) and winner of 63 Formula 1® races sets stratospheric standards of performance, and doesn’t hand out kudos lightly.

A rare exception is the man with whom he shares the stage at Mercedes me Store Melbourne on ‘grand prix eve’ – the night before the first grand prix of the 2019 season, the Formula 1® Rolex Australian Grand Prix at Melbourne’s Albert Park.

The man about whom he positively gushes is one with whom he also shares many things – a pit garage, racing strategies, even a start date with the team.

Toto Wolff, the team principal of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Motorsport F1® team, is Hamilton’s boss. But with renowned Formula 1® commentator Tom Clarkson asking probing questions of the pair in the intimate setting of the stunning Mercedes me Store Melbourne, it quickly becomes evident he’s also a friend, mentor and confidant.

Dream team

Appropriately, the pair arrived in high-tech style, pulling up on the adjacent forecourt in an all-new Mercedes-Benz EQC, the company’s first all-electric vehicle. Their arrival was live streamed into the store, where guests provided a rock star welcome as they descended the long staircase to greet Clarkson on the stage.

By Steve Colquhoun