Susie Wolff, the managing director of F1 Academy, confirmed Wednesday that she filed a criminal complaint earlier this month in French courts “in relation to the statements made about me by the FIA last December.”
Several months ago, the governing body launched an investigation into Susie and her husband, Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team principal, over an alleged conflict of interest, only to close the probe after just two days.
“There has still not been any transparency or accountability in relation to the conduct of the FIA and its personnel in this matter,” Susie Wolff said on social media Thursday. “I feel more than ever it is important to stand up, call out improper behaviour and make sure people are held to account. Whilst some may think silence absolves them from responsibility — it does not.”
— Susie Wolff (@Susie_Wolff) March 20, 2024
Her statement comes just hours after the FIA announced its president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, was cleared by the FIA Ethics Committee following the investigation into allegations of sporting interference.
When it announced the investigation into the alleged conflict of interest, the FIA said its compliance department was looking into the “media speculation centered on the allegation of information of a confidential nature being passed to an F1 team principal from a member of FOM personnel.” The FIA never explicitly said it was the Wolffs; however, F1, Susie and Mercedes released statements shortly after denying the allegations.
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Mercedes in legal exchange with FIA regarding controversial investigation
Mercedes called the allegations “unsubstantiated” and said it had “received no communication from the FIA Compliance Department on this topic and it was highly surprising to learn of the investigation through a media statement.” F1, meanwhile, said it has “robust processes and procedures that ensure the segregation of information and responsibilities in the event of any potential conflict of interest.”
In response to the FIA’s statement, Susie highlighted the bigger concerns: “It is disheartening that my integrity is being called into question in such a manner, especially when it seems to be rooted in intimidatory and misogynistic behavior, and focused on my marital status rather than my abilities.”
The rest of the F1 teams also spoke out strongly against the investigation, denying making any complaints to the governing body in identical statements released simultaneously. The inquiry ultimately lasted just two days. The FIA said it reviewed F1’s code of conduct and conflict of interest policy, determining that “appropriate protective measures are in place to mitigate any potential conflicts.” It also confirmed “that there is no ongoing investigation in terms of ethical or disciplinary inquiries involving any individual” but offered no further information.
But even when the FIA quickly dropped the matter, Susie raised key questions about the process and highlighted the lack of transparency.
“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,” she said said in a Dec. 8 statement.
“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. … 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.”
Toto Wolff also released a statement after the investigation ended, saying Mercedes was “currently in active legal exchange with the FIA” and “We await full transparency about what took place and why, and have expressly reserved all legal rights.”
Since early December, nothing else had been said on the matter until Susie’s statement Wednesday.
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(Photo: Mark Thompson / Getty Images)
