Mercedes F1 Taps Relative Youngster for Backup Team Boss Behind Wolff

• Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff taps a relative youngster as backup team boss of the Formula 1 team.

• Jerome d'Ambrosio formerly drove for Marussia and Lotus in F1, and held the post of team boss at Venturi Racing.

• He takes on several of the tasks that fell under James Vowles purview after the latter left for Williams.

Toto Wolff has named former F1 driver Jerome d'Ambrosio as 'reserve team boss' at Mercedes, the team reveals.

The former Marussia Virgin Racing and Lotus F1 driver has been spotted accompanying Wolff during recent grands prix, in his recent role as driver development director.

Previously, he was team boss at the Formula E team Venturi—where Wolff's wife Susie also had a top role.

French magazine Auto Hebdo now reports that d'Ambrosio, a 37-year-old Belgian, has actually taken over many of the tasks previously fulfilled at Mercedes by Williams' new team boss, James Vowles.

Wolff confirmed: "When I am absent at a grand prix, Jerome will take my place.

"It is true that in 11 years this has only happened three times, but it is a situation that it is important to be able to anticipate," the team boss and co-owner added.

"Jerome did a very good job last year with his role at Venturi—a small structure which obviously has little to do with ours, which still has 2500 people.

"However, he is involved and I must even say that most of his interventions are sensible during the grands prix," Wolff continued.

"I assure you that this is already a remarkable score, as James Allison often told me that I said 50 percent intelligent things and 50 percent nonsense," he laughed.

"More seriously, we have to give him time, but I have the impression that he has the right profile to take on this role," Wolff said.

"He must now gain credibility within the team and in the paddock. He still has time, but in case of absence on my part, he will be able to replace me."