Formula One’s governing body, the FIA, is to launch an investigation into a potential conflict of interest, believed to be centred on the Mercedes team principal, Toto Wolff, and his wife, Susie. She is the managing director of the F1 Academy – the all-female series run by F1’s owners, Formula One Management (FOM). The allegations have been denied by Mercedes and F1.
Neither party has been named by the FIA but it is understood they are the subject of the investigation after as yet unsubstantiated reports that Wolff had made a remark in a team principals meeting that suggested he had knowledge that could only have been sourced from FOM.
The FIA on Tuesday said: “The FIA is aware of media speculation centred on the allegation of information of a confidential nature being passed to an F1 team principal from a member of FOM personnel. The FIA compliance department is looking into the matter.”
It is understood the concern has been raised because of the implication that the couple would be able to exchange information to which other parties, notably other F1 team principals, do not have access. This would potentially be in both directions, with the Mercedes principal privy to information from FOM and FOM potentially having access to details of private team principal discussions. In her capacity as managing director of the F1 Academy, Susie Wolff works closely with the F1 chief executive, Stefano Domenicali.
Mercedes took issue with the FIA announcement and denied Wolff had in any way behaved with impropriety. “We note the generic statement from the FIA this evening, which responds to unsubstantiated allegations from a single media outlet, and the off‑record briefing which has linked it to the team principal of Mercedes‑AMG F1,” they said. “The team has 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.
“We wholly reject the allegation in the statement and associated media coverage, which wrongly impinges on the integrity and compliance of our team principal. As a matter of course, we invite full, prompt, and transparent correspondence from the FIA compliance department regarding this investigation and its contents.”
FOM insisted there had been no conflict of interest and that the allegations were without foundation.
“We note the public statement made by the FIA this evening that was not shared with us in advance. “We have complete confidence that the allegations are wrong and we have robust processes and procedures that ensure the segregation of information and responsibilities in the event of any potential conflict of interest.
“We are confident that no member of our team has made any unauthorised disclosure to a team principal and would caution anyone against making imprudent and serious allegations without substance.”
No teams have publicly commented on the issue but it is reported that the president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has been lobbied to open an investigation.
Toto Wolff became team principal of Mercedes in 2013, since when the team have won eight constructors’ championships and seven drivers’ titles. Susie Wolff is a former driver, who was team principal of the Venturi Formula E team and became managing director of the F1 Academy in March before the series began its inaugural season this year.
