The FIA announced on Thursday that it had dropped an investigation into the Wolffs after finding F1’s compliance rules to be sufficiently robust to prevent any breaches of confidentiality; all nine of Mercedes’ rivals denied claims they had complained about the Wolffs
Last Updated: 08/12/23 11:55am
Susie Wolff has hit out at the FIA after Formula 1’s governing body launched and then dropped an investigation into the F1 Academy managing director and her husband, Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, over an alleged breach of confidentiality.
The FIA announced on Thursday that it had dropped an investigation into the Wolffs after finding Formula 1’s compliance rules to be sufficiently robust to prevent any breaches of confidentiality.
The move came 48 hours after the FIA announced its compliance department was looking into allegations against the Wolffs, and 24 hours after Mercedes’ nine rival teams united in coordinated social media posts to deny making any complaints about them.
Reacting to the FIA’s statements, neither of which named the parties involved, Wolff appeared to question why she has not received an apology from the organisation.
In a statement shared on social media, Wolff said: “When I saw the statement issued by the FIA yesterday evening, my first reaction was: ‘Is that it?’
“For two days, insinuations have been made about my integrity in public and through background briefings, but nobody from the FIA has spoken to me directly.
“I might have been collateral damage in an unsuccessful attack on somebody else, or the target of a failed attempt to discredit me personally, but I have worked too hard to have my reputation called into question by an unfounded press release.”
“We have come a long way as a sport. I was extremely thankful for the unified support of the Formula 1 teams. I have worked with so many passionate women and men at F1 and the FIA, who have the very best interests of our sport at heart.
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Christian Horner says Red Bull and AlphaTauri have ‘nothing to do’ with complaints made to the FIA alleging F1 Academy boss Susie Wolff exchanged confidential information to husband and Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.
“However, this episode has so far taken place without transparency or accountability. I have received online abuse about my work and my family. I will not allow myself to be intimidated and intend to follow up until I have found out who has instigated this campaign and misled the media.
“What happened this week is simply not good enough. As a sport, we must demand, and we deserve, better.”
More to follow…