From Vienna Streets to F1 Pits: Wolff's Humble Beginnings
In a revelation that has stunned the Formula 1 community, Mercedes-AMG Petronas team principal Toto Wolff has disclosed details about his very first job before becoming one of motorsport's most powerful figures. The Austrian billionaire shared his unexpected career origins during an appearance on Max Klymenko's TikTok series 'Career Ladder', where participants stand on a ladder while their profession is guessed.
The Torch Seller of Vienna
During the unique interview, Wolff confirmed he was a school dropout without a university degree, immediately surprising viewers. When pressed about his earliest employment, the 52-year-old executive revealed he launched his own venture at just 18 or 19 years old, working in sales in his native Vienna.
"It was actually a very humanitarian thing that I did," Wolff explained, describing how he purchased 25,000 torches and candles available throughout the Austrian capital during the 1990s. His business operation proved remarkably successful, with the young entrepreneur managing to sell 10,000 items daily at €2.50 each, clearing his entire inventory in a single evening.
Fan Reaction to Wolff's Revelation
Supporters expressed astonishment at both Wolff's educational background and unconventional career start. Social media platforms buzzed with reactions following the interview's release.
One stunned fan commented: "Toto Wolff saying 'I'm a dropout' was not on my bingo." Another simply exclaimed: "HE STARTED OFF BY SELLING TORCHES WHAT." A third observer noted the impressive trajectory: "Bro dropped out and casually built one of the best F1 teams and made a 7 time world champion."
The Interviewer's Own Success Story
The conversation occurred on a platform created by Max Klymenko, who himself has achieved remarkable success. The Ukrainian-born content creator recently won Creator of the Year at the 2025 TikTok Awards UK and Ireland on Thursday, November 13.
During his acceptance speech, Klymenko shared an amusing anecdote about his grandmother using multiple TikTok accounts to boost his early viewing figures. Now boasting 8.5 million followers with content watched billions of times annually, he dedicated his award to his family and expressed pride as an immigrant succeeding in Britain, concluding with "Slava Ukraini" (Glory to Ukraine).
The revelation provides a fascinating glimpse into the unconventional path that led Wolff from selling emergency lighting on Vienna's streets to overseeing one of the most dominant teams in Formula 1 history, proving that traditional educational routes aren't the only path to extraordinary success.
