Susie Wolff “insulted” by conflict of interest allegations

Oh dear, F1 has gone all EastEnders again. A row has broken out between the sport, the FIA, F1 Academy boss Susie Wolff and her husband Toto, Mercedes’ team principal, over rumoured conflict of interest claims from rival team bosses.

Apparently there are concerns the couple could be in a position to share confidential information, with Susie privy to the goings on within Formula One Management and Toto involved in talks with fellow team principals.

Each side could potentially benefit from knowledge not available to others.

The FIA’s compliance department has opened an investigation into the situation, but the move has drawn angry responses from Susie Wolff, F1 itself and the Mercedes F1 team.

“I am deeply insulted but sadly unsurprised by the public allegations that have been made this evening,” said the F1 Academy boss. “It is disheartening that my integrity is being called into question in such manner, especially when it seems to be rooted in intimidatory and misogynistic behaviour, and focused on my marital status rather than my abilities.”

The accusations of misogyny appear to be a reference to FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, who has previously been linked to an old website that suggested he’d made sexist and derogatory remarks.

Ben Sulayem announced in February that he would be stepping back from direct involvement in F1 after a series of controversies since taking office, although he’s rumoured to be as hands-on as ever and some inside the sport blame him for the tanking relationship between F1 and the FIA.

Susie Wolff continued. “Throughout my career in motorsport, I have encountered and overcome numerous obstacles and I refuse to let these baseless allegations overshadow my dedication and passion for F1 Academy.

“As a woman in this sport, I have faced my fair share of challenges but my commitment to breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations to succeed remains unwavering.

“In the strongest possible terms, I reject these allegations.”

Meanwhile Mercedes bemoaned that it had “received no communication from the FIA Compliance Department on this topic” before the FIA’s investigation was announced via the media, adding: “We wholly reject the allegation in the statement and associated media coverage, which wrongly impinges on the integrity and compliance of our Team Principal.”

F1 echoed those remarks in its own response.

Blimey. Next we’ll be hearing that Phil Mitchell is taking charge of Alpine or something. Doof, doof, doof, doof, doof doof-doof-doof-doof…