Toto Wolff sells last shares in Williams team

Toto Wolff the Mercedes GP Executive Director looks on from the pitwall during day four of Formula One Winter Testing at the Circuito de Jerez on January 31, 2014
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Toto Wolff severs his last ties to the Williams team.

Toto Wolff has severed his last ties to the Williams team.

The Austrian entered Formula 1 in 2009 when he bought into the British team and became a director.

He left in 2013 when he bought 30% of Mercedes's 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 15% Williams stake to US private healthcare businessman Brad Hollinger, who subsequently bought another 5% last year.

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

"Williams was my first investment in Formula 1 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."

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.

Valtteri Bottas of Finland and Williams attends the drivers press conference during previews for the Abu Dhabi Formula One Grand Prix at the Yas Marina Circuit on October 31, 2013
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