Susie Wolff denies conflict of interest accusations following FIA probe announcement
F1 Academy director Susie Wolff dismisses conflict of interest allegations amid FIA probe, following announcement of investigation into her relationship with husband Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal
Susie Wolff, the managing director of F1 Academy, has dismissed allegations of a conflict of interest between herself and her husband, Toto Wolff, who is the team principal of Mercedes. This response comes in the wake of an investigation announced by the FIA on Tuesday, following media speculation about the alleged passing of confidential information from a member of FOM personnel to an F1 team principal. The FIA Compliance Department is currently looking into the matter.
The FIA statement did not reveal the names of the individuals under investigation, but media reports have identified them as the Wolffs. Business F1 magazine reported that some anonymous F1 team principals suspect that the Mercedes boss has access to confidential information through his wife, which he is using to his advantage without sharing with them.
Susie expressed her deep insult and lack of surprise at the public allegations made against her this evening on X, formerly Twitter.
She found it disheartening that her integrity was being called into question, particularly in a manner rooted in intimidatory and misogynistic behavior and focused on her marital status rather than her abilities.
The Scottish former professional racing driver adamantly rejected the allegations, stating, "I strongly deny these claims."
Mercedes also released a statement on Tuesday in which they denied the allegations, stating they only became aware of the investigation through a media statement.
Mercedes expressed surprise at learning about the investigation through a media statement, as they have had no communication from the FIA Compliance Department on the topic. They rejected the allegation in the statement and the associated media coverage, emphasizing that it wrongly impacts the integrity and compliance of their Team Principal.
All nine F1 teams issued matching statements on Wednesday refuting any claims that they had filed a complaint.
"We want to clarify that we did not file any complaint with the FIA about the accusation of sharing confidential information between an F1 team leader and a member of FOM [F1] staff.
"We are delighted to announce our support for the F1 Academy and its managing director by sponsoring an entrant in our liveries for the upcoming season. Liberty Media, the owner of F1, informed CNN via email that they had not been given advance notice of the FIA statement."
"We were not made aware of the public statement released by the FIA this evening. We are confident that the allegations are false and we have strong processes in place to handle any potential conflicts of interest." In the past, Formula One and the FIA have had a tense relationship.
