Susie Wolff has hit back at the FIA after it ended an inquiry into a possible conflict of interest and pledged to get to the bottom of a “campaign” against her.
Formula 1’s governing body said it had launched an investigation earlier this week into claims in Business F1 magazine that a rival team boss had raised concerns about Wolff and her husband, Mercedes team principal Toto. sharing confidential information.
Both rejected the allegations and Mercedes' rival F1 teams subsequently put out a statement insisting none had raised any objections about either husband or wife.
On Thursday, the FIA said there was “no ongoing investigation” and that it was “satisfied” there had been no disclosure of confidential information.
But on Friday morning, Susie Wolff responded angrily to the whole debacle.
— Susie Wolff (@Susie_Wolff) December 8, 2023
In a statement on social media, she wrote: “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.
“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 what 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.”
