The FIA ​​has launched an investigation into Mercedes Formula 1 boss Toto Wolff and his wife Susie Wolff.

The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has launched an investigation into Mercedes Formula 1 team boss Toto Wolff and his wife Susie Wolff, who runs the F1 Academy (a women’s formula championship for young female drivers). The FIA ​​has reason to believe that there is a conflict of interest as the spouses may have exchanged confidential information. Ms Wolff called the suspicions misogynistic, while Formula 1 owners Liberty Media were quick to say the FIA ​​had not agreed with them and denied any suspicions about Susie Wolff.

The International Automobile Federation provoked a rather loud scandal, the defendants of which were the boss and co-owner of one of the most successful teams in the history of Formula 1, Mercedes, Toto Wolff (during the leadership of the Austrian at the German “stable”, its drivers won the world championship seven times) and his wife Susie Wolf. The latter is the head of the women’s formula championship for young drivers – F1 Academy. The FIA ​​statement noted that the federation’s compliance committee has launched an investigation to verify reports in the media that the Wolff couple may be exchanging confidential proprietary information. The FIA ​​statement does not directly mention the names of Toto and Susie Wolff. It talks about the receipt of information about the transfer of confidential data to “the head of the Formula 1 team” by an employee of FOM (Formula One Management – directly manages the commercial rights of the series.— “Kommersant”)”. But everything points specifically to the Wolf couple.

Actually, the media publications mentioned by the FIA ​​come down to one material in the BusinessF1 publication. It, with reference to several leaders of Formula 1 teams (their names were not named), said that at one of the closed meetings of the heads of the “stables”, Mr. Wolff cited certain data that could only be learned from one of the FOM managers (before the bosses The management structure did not communicate information to the teams). After this, a number of team managers allegedly contacted the FIA. They believe that not only did Susie Wolff tell her husband what he was not supposed to know (Mrs. Wolff is directly subordinate to Formula 1 President Stefano Domenicali), but Mr. Wolff also kept his wife informed of the details of confidential conversations between the bosses of the “stables” . That is, there is a conflict of interest and abuse of position. It is not explained, however, what benefits Mercedes received from the alleged leak of information from FOM.

Mercedes, of course, angrily rejected all suspicions. The management of Formula 1 spoke in the same vein. The structure issued a statement noting that the FIA ​​did not notify it of its actions, that Formula 1 has full confidence in its employees, and that the organization has the most reliable mechanisms in place to prevent leaks of confidential information and guarantee the absence of conflicts of interest. But perhaps Susie Wolf herself spoke out most clearly. She saw the FIA’s actions as attempts to intimidate her, and even manifestations of misogyny. Ms. Wolf noted that “she is deeply offended, but not at all surprised by the accusations.” “My integrity is in question. At the same time, it seems to me that all the accusations are focused on my marital status, and not on my abilities,” said Toto Wolff’s wife.

Susie Wolf’s mention of certain manifestations of misogyny is obviously an attack on FIA President Mohammed bin Sulayem, who has previously been accused of having a specific attitude towards women. Back in 2001, he wrote on his personal website that he “does not like women who think they are smarter than men, because they are not.” The site has long been archived, but it was also excavated. At first, the FIA ​​(which Mohammed bin Sulayem headed in 2021) noted that “the president no longer holds such views at the moment.” Later, the head of the FIA ​​himself said: “What did I say, if at all? Let’s say it was me. And what does it say? Literally: “I hate it when women think they are smarter than us.” But they also hate it when men think they are smarter than them. Did I say that men are smarter? No. Damn it, if this is the only thing you can show me, then please!” – noted the FIA ​​President.

Alexander Petrov