Our columnist, Noël Ummels, discerns unsettling parallels between the world of Asterix and Obelix and Formula 1. More specifically, he draws a line between Cassius Catastrofus and Toto Wolff, identifying the latter as the man attempting to destabilize the team we have come to know so well.
I have always maintained a fairly neutral stance towards the tall one. I hardly had an opinion about him, just some feelings, sometimes reservations too. A craftsman with a heart for the matter, not a daydreamer sketching golden horizons. Indeed, he reaped what Ross Brawn had sown, but managed to convert his work into seven prosperous years, thereby becoming one of the most successful team bosses in the history of Formula 1. Nothing but praise, until it becomes clear what a sore loser he is.
The comic strip Asterix has been a pale shadow of itself since the death of scriptwriter René Goscinny. We’re talking about 1977, when the first ground effect car made its debut in Formula 1 and Niki Lauda became world champion for the second time. Afterwards, the Asterix stories became monstrosities, somewhat like the Mercedes cars now. Goscinny was a gifted dissector of the human spirit, a brilliant satirist, and wrote one of the highlights of the series, the album The Schemer. The story: troublemaker Cassius Catastrofus goes to the village we know so well to sow discord. He presents himself as a divisive figure who succeeds where countless legions failed: the place of quarrelsome hotheads threatens to succumb to mutual distrust.
Wolff vs Horner
The cover illustration is ominous: even bosom friends Asterix and Obelix, leaning with their noses against each other and watched by a depressed Idefix and a self-satisfied Catastrofus, vent their mutual anger. But then the slightly more cunning Asterix combats the schemer with his own methods. In the presence of the Roman centurion on duty, he thanks Catastrofus for the great cooperation, so that he, as a traitor, gets a one-way ticket to the circus in Rome, where he will undoubtedly also set the lions against each other.
I revisited the book and indeed, it perfectly encapsulates Toto Wolff. Ever since his major rival, Christian Horner, has been under fire due to allegations of overstepping boundaries, the Viennese Cassius Catastrofus can’t resist further fragmenting the team we’ve come to know so well. This magazine and website have extensively detailed how, during Red Bull’s most successful period ever, two factions have emerged: you’re either for Horner or against him.
Ostentatious and Embarrassing
Catastrofus Wolff is not only undermining Horner’s position, but he’s also doing his utmost to topple the entire Red Bull structure. And he’s doing it so blatantly that it becomes embarrassing. A few conversations with Jos Verstappen and a transfer of Max Verstappen to Mercedes is already being touted by the media. Does Max want Helmut Marko included? We have room for him. Adrian Newey? Of course, bring him on. And all the while, he’s complaining about Horner, claiming that he’s dragging the entire Formula 1 into the mire in the wake of his team. Divide and conquer, as Caesar would say.
I have no idea about the truth of the Horner affair. However, dear Toto, if you behave as Machiavellian at work as you do, that’s also considered overstepping boundaries these days. And rightly so.
Of course, I’m ready to assist you. Please provide the text you’d like me to translate and polish.Our columnist, Noël Ummels, discerns unsettling parallels between the characters of Asterix and Obelix and the world of Formula 1. More specifically, he draws a comparison between Cassius Catastrofus and Toto Wolff, as the man attempting to undermine the team we have come to know so well.
I have always maintained a neutral stance towards the tall one. I had barely formed an opinion about him, only harboring some feelings, occasionally reservations. A professional with a passion for his work, not a dreamer painting golden horizons. Indeed, he reaped what Ross Brawn had sown, but managed to transform it into seven prosperous years, thereby becoming one of the most successful team bosses in the history of Formula 1. Nothing but praise, until it becomes apparent what a sore loser he is.
The comic strip Asterix has been a pale shadow of its former self since the death of scriptwriter René Goscinny. We’re talking about 1977, when the first ground effect car made its appearance in Formula 1 and Niki Lauda became world champion for the second time. After that, the Asterix stories became monstrosities, somewhat like the Mercedes cars now. Goscinny was a gifted dissector of the human spirit, a brilliant satirist, and wrote one of the highlights of the series, the album The Intruder. The story: troublemaker Cassius Catastrofus goes to the village we have come to know so well to sow discord. He presents himself as a wedge that succeeds where countless legions failed: the place of quarrelsome hotheads threatens to succumb to mutual distrust.
The cover illustration is ominous: even bosom friends Asterix and Obelix, leaning with their noses against each other and watched by a depressed Idefix and a self-satisfied Catastrofus, vent their mutual anger. But then the slightly more cunning Asterix combats the intruder with his own methods. In the presence of the Roman centurion on duty, he thanks Catastrofus for the great cooperation, so that he, as a traitor, gets a one-way ticket to the circus in Rome, where he will undoubtedly also pit the lions against each other.
I picked up the book again and indeed: Toto Wolff in a nutshell. Since his great rival Christian Horner has been under fire for allegations of crossing boundaries, the Cassius Catastrofus of Vienna cannot resist driving the team we have come to know so well even further apart. It has been extensively described in this magazine and on the website how, precisely in the best period ever at Red Bull, two camps have emerged: either you are for Horner or you are against.
Catastrofus Wolff not only undermines his chair, but does his utmost to bring down the entire Red Bull structure. And so blatantly that it becomes embarrassing. A few conversations with Jos Verstappen and a switch from Max Verstappen to Mercedes is already in the making according to the media. Does Max want Helmut Marko with him? We have room for that too. Adrian Newey? Sure, bring him on. And in the meantime, complain about Horner that this really can’t be done and that he is dragging the entire Formula 1 into the swamp in the slipstream of his team. Divide and rule, Caesar would say.
I have no idea what is true about the Horner affair. But, dear Toto, if you behave as Machiavellian at work as you do, that is also called crossing boundaries these days. And rightly so.
