Wolff will miss the second race of 2025 at Imola.

      His son is graduating from the University of Southern California.

      Formula 1 has just begun its 2025 season, with less than a third of the races completed. However, after the race at Imola this Sunday, Toto Wolff will have missed two grand prix events. Japan, known for its Suzuka circuit—one of the furthest from the sport's European base—has now become a race that the Mercedes team principal has started to skip since the calendar has expanded to include 24 races. Additionally, Wolff will not attend Imola, which is located around 40 km southeast of Bologna, Italy, this weekend. This is despite the fact that it is arguably the most significant race of the season so far, as nearly every team is expected to reveal major upgrades to their cars.

      "Our focus is on making gains as we begin the European leg of the season," Wolff stated this week. "F1 is a relative game, however, and we know our competitors will make progress too. It will be interesting to see how that unfolds on the track." The Austrian will be watching from afar—specifically, from Los Angeles. He’s not just on vacation; his eldest son, 23-year-old Benedict Wolff, is graduating from the University of Southern California, where he is believed to be studying business.

      As a result, Toto Wolff will miss the first home race of his young Italian protégé Kimi Antonelli. "He grew up nearby in Bologna," Wolff noted, "and it will be a special occasion for him." Antonelli has shown promise as he adjusts to Formula 1, stepping into the race seat previously held by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton has faced challenges since his move to Ferrari this year, but Wolff believes the former Mercedes driver is capable of rebounding, despite being 40 years old.

      "I firmly believe that the magic is still there," Wolff remarked when asked about Hamilton. "If he aligns all his performance factors and feels comfortable, and if the car suits him, he will be outstanding. I have no doubt about that. But I’m also not surprised he is facing these challenges," he added. "He was with us for 12 years, and our way of working is different. Now he’s at Ferrari, with a teammate who has been there for a long time. His teammate is clearly one of the very strong drivers," Wolff said, referring to Charles Leclerc. "So from an external perspective and in talking to him, it's a process any new driver must go through in a top team."

      As was the case in Suzuka, Wolff's responsibilities as on-site team principal at Imola will be managed by Mercedes communications chief Bradley Lord.