Toto Wolff breaks silence on Susie Wolff’s legal complaint against the FIA over conflict of interest investigation

Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff and his wife Susie Wolff were put under investigation by the FIA last year. Susie Wolff is the Managing Director of F1 Academy. The couple was accused of conflict of interest for allegedly passing over information. However, the two were cleared by the sports governing body after massive backlash. Now, the Mercedes team boss supported his wife for filing a legal complaint against the FIA.

Susie Wolff lodged a criminal complaint against the sports governing body in the French courts. Lewis Hamilton has stood firmly by the former racing driver and even called out the lack of transparency regarding the situation. Toto Wolff mentioned that 41-year-old was a strong woman who did not need the support of anyone. Moreover, the 52-year-old claimed that his wife had always been true to her values.

First of all, Susie is a strong woman. She doesn't take anything from anyone and has always followed through on her convictions and values, and that's the case here.

Toto Wolff told Sky Sports F1

Additionally, Toto Wolff highlighted that Susie Wolff had been pragmatic over the entire case. The 41-year-old felt that she had been wronged by the allegations and wanted the court to hear her side. The Austrian boss mentioned that no one could stop the F1 Academy Managing Director from taking her path as she had such a strong character.

She's very unemotional about it, and pragmatic. She feels wrong was done and the court needs to hear that, and nothing's going to bring her off that path. That's how her character is.

Toto Wolff joins in on Lewis Hamilton’s comments over lack of transparency in F1

Formula 1 has been going through a tough period. Apart from the investigation on the Wolffs, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner was accused of inappropriate behavior by a female Red Bull employee. Moreover, FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem was under investigation himself over two allegations. Both senior F1 figures were cleared of all allegations without any details being released to the public.

Lewis Hamilton had mentioned that the current state of the sport gives a terrible narrative around inclusivity. The 39-year-old even took a subtle dig at Red Bull for suspending the female employee. Toto Wolff agreed with the Briton. The 52-year-old claimed it was not great to see such lack of transparency in these cases in the past few months.

And on the other side, it is the case and the fact, that all year now we have been talking about cases of transparency and various other factors that are just not great, and this is what Lewis referred to.

Certainly, Formula 1 and the FIA need to ensure that the sport can finally move on from the chaotic past few months. However, Susie Wolff’s complaint started a new chapter over the dropped investigation. So far, the sports governing body and F1 have not made a comment on this case. It remains to be seen how things pan out in the coming weeks.

In case you missed it:

• Sebastian Vettel set to make racing return with Porsche
• Sergio Perez claims it will be a “challenge” for Red Bull to beat Ferrari at the Australian GP

Stay Updated!

Join our newsletter to receive exclusive updates and curated insights directly to your inbox.

Subscribe NOW