Mercedes say that Toto Wolff's purchase of a five per cent stake in rival team Aston Martin will not affect his position as team principal.
The Austrian has bought those Aston Martin shares ahead of their return to Formula One next season.
The British company is controlled by Canadian billionaire Lawrence Stroll, who also owns the Racing Point F1 team, which will be rebranded as Aston in 2021.
Wolff has bought a small stake as a "financial investment" which will not affect his role as an executive and shareholder at Mercedes, according to them team.
“Fully diluted following the pending rights issue, this investment will represent a 0.95% stake in the company," the German team said of the move.
“It is a financial investment and Toto’s partnership and executive role with Mercedes are unaffected by the transaction.”
Wolff is out of contract with Mercedes at the end of the current campaign but he recently revealed that he intends to remain with the world champion team:
“I’m in the eighth year now. I love sports and this team. However, I am somewhat surprised by the turn of events over the winter and by the behaviour of individual people.
“Of course, this also has to do with my decision on what to do in 2020 and beyond. But I am and will remain the head of Mercedes Motorsport and F1 boss, and nothing will change in the short term.”
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