F1 today: Wolff stays as Mercedes team principal, Källenius says no

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff revealed in Berlin that he has offered his resignation to group CEO Ola Källenius several times in recent years. Källenius turned him down every time. Asked whether he would stay on as team principal, Wolff replied, according to nextgen-auto.com: "Yes. Ola is forcing me to."

Wolff was in Berlin to collect the Auto Bild Motorsport Award. He said that after four difficult years, the success was particularly satisfying, although the joy only lasts a short while. Mercedes have won both titles this season: Andrea Kimi Antonelli became drivers' world champion in Mexico, and with the Brazilian GP the team also wrapped up the constructors' championship. In the standings, Antonelli has 390 points, while Mercedes lead the constructors' championship with 652 points.

Williams have named Victor Martins as reserve driver for the Las Vegas GP. The Frenchman has been part of the team's driver academy since 2025 and works as a test and development driver. Regular reserve driver Luke Browning is under a full-time contract in Japan's Super Formula and is focusing on that series. Should Alexander Albon or Carlos Sainz be unable to race, Martins would step in. This season he is also racing for Alpine in the World Endurance Championship.

According to motorsportweek.com, Martins is looking forward to learning as much as possible with the team during his first Las Vegas weekend.

At Alpine, the sale of a minority stake is under way. US investor Otro Capital holds 24 per cent of the team and, according to gpfans.com, has hired investment bank BDT & MSD Partners to find a buyer. Both reports are based on the industry outlet Sportico. Otro bought the stake in 2023. The period during which the shares could not be sold has since expired. Renault still owns 76 per cent and has stated that the team itself is not for sale.

There are said to be several offers, but no agreement has been reached yet. According to gpfans.com and nextgen-auto.com, former Red Bull team principal Christian Horner, among others, is repeatedly linked with the stake. An offer from him has not been confirmed.

The season continues with the Las Vegas GP, the 21st round of the year. The first practice session starts on Friday 20 November at 01:30 German time. Qualifying begins on Saturday 21 November at 05:00 and the race on Sunday 22 November at 05:00. You can find all the other dates in the calendar.