Adrian Sutil's lawyer issues statement after ex-F1…

Reports emerged last week that former Formula 1 driver Adrian Sutil had been arrested in connection with allegations of fraud. Sutil's attorney-at-law, Dirk Schmitz, has now released a statement on behalf of the former Sauber F1 driver.

The reports stated that the German driver is being held in pre-trial detention in a prison in Baden-Württemberg and is suspected of 'aggravated joint fraud and joint embezzlement'.

Sutil has strongly denied the allegations made against him in the statement from his lawyer. "From his perspective, no financial damage has been caused to third parties to date," Schmitz said.

Schmitz also provided an explanation as to why Sutil is currently being detained in Germany, claiming that this is "due to the fact that Mr. Sutil does not have a residence in Germany but only in Monaco."

The statement adds that Sutil is confident that the investigation will find him innocent and also points to Sutil being a victim of "a major property offence within the European sphere."

Full (translated) statement by Adrian Sutil and attorney-at-law Dirk Schmitz, M.A.

In recent days, media outlets have reported on criminal investigations by the public prosecutor’s office and measures taken by investigative authorities in connection with Mr. Sutil. The allegations concern property-related offences in relation to his international business activities. Adrian Sutil is currently in pre-trial detention in Germany. This is primarily due to the fact that Mr. Sutil does not have a residence in Germany but only in Monaco.

F3 drivers photoshoot: Adrian Sutil (Photo by: Stella-Maria Thomas)

Adrian Sutil wishes to make it clear that he rejects the accusations brought against him. From his perspective, no financial damage has been caused to third parties to date. The allegations relate to international and cross-border leasing contracts and security agreements that must be assessed under different national legal standards and therefore lead to differing evaluations.

The triggers and surrounding circumstances suggest an attempt to deliberately and misleadingly damage his reputation. In particular, Adrian Sutil himself has become the victim of a major property offence within the European sphere. Further information on this will be provided shortly.

Regardless of this, Mr. Sutil is fully cooperating with the competent investigative authorities in order to contribute to a swift and comprehensive clarification of the matter. He is confident that, as the investigations progress, the allegations will prove to be unfounded under criminal law and that his prominent name as a Formula 1 driver will be fully rehabilitated. For him, it is beyond question that the clarification must be based solely on facts and evidence. Despite the traumatic experiences he is currently undergoing, he wishes to thank the public prosecutor’s office and the state criminal investigation department for their correct and objective conduct so far.

Adrian Sutil expressly requests that the public and the media respect the presumption of innocence and refrain from negatively influencing the ongoing proceedings through speculative or prejudicial reporting. Any assessments should only be made once the competent authorities have completed their work and reliable findings are available.

At the same time, Mr. Sutil wishes to thank all friends, colleagues, and business partners in Monaco, Germany, and around the world who are offering him support and trust at this particularly difficult and, in his view, unjust situation.