Toto Wolff has heaped praise on outgoing Mercedes-Benzꦏ head Dieter Zetsche for keep🌄ing Mercedes in Formula 1 throughout a difficult period upon its return to the sport.

The Mercedes name returned to F1 in 2010 following a half-century absence after their👍 owners, Daimler AG, bought a stake in the Brawn GP outfit and rebranded.

Mercedes initially struggled for competitiveness early on but has been the dominant force of F1 since tꦿhe switch to V6 hybrid power units in 2014. The German manufacturer has recorded five consecutive world championship doubles and is on course to make it six after a strong start to the 2019 season.

In his last race represen🔯ting Mercedes as CEO of the Daimler🍌 group, Zetsche witnessed Mercedes secure its fifth straight one-two finish of the year at the Spanish Grand Prix.

“There♋ are not many CEOs that have empowered a group ཧof people like you did,” Wolff said as he addressed Zetsche when the German door-stepped Wolff’s post-race media call.

“Leaving us on the long leash, letting us represent this fantastic brand. And we did it with pride and with g🦋reat responsibility.

“You went through a stor꧙m in 2010, 11 and '12 when the car was going backwards and even in '13 it was not always g🅺reat.

“And you stuck to Formula 1 as a CEO of Daimler like no other corporate has eಌver done, and now we are harvesting this and it's great to see you up there.

“You deserve al🐈l the credit🃏. You have built the structure.”

Race-winner Lewis Hamilton, who moved from McLaren to♕ Mercedes ahead ofꦍ the 2013 season, also praised Zetsche’s heavy influence on his career.

The Briton has gone on to claim four of the last five drivers’ world championship titles and holds a seven-point advantage 🌊over Mercedes teammate Valtteri Bottas in the 2019 standings.

“It’s just an incredible day for the team,” Hamilton said. “We brought an upgrade here, and everyone worked so ha🅷rd to make sure we brought a decent upgrade, something that delivered on ev💟ery aspect.

“I’m very, very proud of everyone back in the factoryღ, and thankful for all their hard work. The guys here at the track, they’re just always faultless. But still a huge thank you to them for their continued work.

“We’ve also got Dr. Zetsche here. He’s been a massive supporter of mine since I was 13. He was 🌼there in the decision-making process of taking me on as a kid, when I started and went to McLaren.

“He was part of the decision-making process of when I got a Formula 1 drive in 2007, and then joining this team again, and then every year on from then when we had to re-sign. This is his𒁃 last race with us, and I just want to say a big thank you to him.”