Lewis Hamilton admitted he was thinking about his future as Mercedes launched their new car.
Hamilton lost out on the world title in controversial circumstances at the final race in Abu Dhabi.
I didn't say I was going to stop. He said that it was a difficult time for him and that he needed to step back.
I decided I was going to be attacking again coming into another season.
Hamilton was on course for a record eighth world title when race director Michael Masi failed to operate the rules correctly during a late safety-car period.
Hamilton was passed by Verstappen on the final lap of the race after the restart.
The race director, Masi, will be removed as a result of a series of changes announced on Thursday.
Hamilton retreated to his family as he tried to process what had happened.
He said that he needed to step back and focus on being present.
Wolff told Radio 5 Live that Abu Dhabi was in the past, but that it was not something they would ever recover from.
He said he was never worried that Masi would quit if he was removed.
I have known Lewis for a long time and I wasn't worried, he said.
Wolff said at the car launch that the FIA had taken the right steps to address the failures in Abu Dhabi.
George Russell is a rising star of the new generation of drivers and he is joined at Mercedes by Hamilton.
Russell spent the first three years of his career at Williams.
When I was 10 years old, we all saw the photo of me and Lewis. We have changed a lot since then. It is amazing to see.
I was a young kid aspiring to reach F1 and he was world champion at the time, he was a super-hero to me. You don't think these people are real.
It's a real privilege to race alongside Lewis. I have the chance to see how the best done it.
Wolff said he expected a tough battle between Hamilton and Russell, but that it would be conducted in good spirit.
He said that they have handled it in the past. I have no doubt that sometimes it will not be easy but that is the nature of the game and the two guys have great personality.
The new Mercedes W13 is designed to comply with revolutionary new regulations aimed at making the racing closer and more competitive.
Significant effort has been made to secure the best possible air flow in the car.
After two years of a black livery, Mercedes have reverted to their traditional silver.
The new livery blends black and silver and the team said it reflected its clear mission to become a more diverse and inclusive team.
Mercedes said that figure was 38% in the year 2021.
Wolff said the hopes are that they will have a competitive car. I know that even if circumstances are difficult, we can dig ourselves out of a disadvantaged situation.
Getting to the desired aero shapes has meant a complete internal repackaging, right down to the electrical layout and where we fit things like theECU.
We have taken another step with how tightly packaged the sidepods and engine cover are. To get to this is not just a shrink-wrapping exercise but requires a huge amount of redesign and simulation to make it work.
There is an upgraded engine for the start of a four-year engine freeze in F1.
It was described by the engine boss as a very broad upgrade across the different elements of the engine.
I haven't set any goals yet. Everyone is working towards the ultimate goal of winning the championship and doing something we have never done before. We have done eight, now it is time to move on to the next one.
Both drivers are due to test the car for the first time in a shakedown on Friday, with Russell trying it first before Hamilton.
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