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0 Just hours after the FIA cleared its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem of misconduct allegations, world motorsport’s governing body has been hit with another stinging barb.
Susie Wolff, the wife of Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, has launched court proceedings against the FIA for its investigation into a perceived conflict of interest.
The F1 Driver Academy director was hit with allegations in a media report over her involvement with the F1 support category and her relationship with the Mercedes boss.
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It was alleged by magazine Business F1 that several team principals had made complaints to the FIA over the matter.
Initially, the FIA issued a statement in which it did not name Suzie Wolff or Toto Wolff, although it is widely believed that they were the subject of the bulletin.
The statement read: “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.”
Neither Susie Wolff, Toto Wolff, nor F1 were contacted by the FIA before issuing its public address.
All nine of Mercedes’ rival teams issued identical statements in the wake of the media report stating they had not made complaints to the FIA, seemingly undermining the investigation.
Less than 48 hours after its initial statement, the FIA backed down from its inquest following a swathe of backlash.
Wolff took the FIA to task in a post on social media, stating she was “deeply insulted but sadly unsurprised” noting the reputational damage done.
The FIA has not apologised publicly and now Wolff is seeking to have the governing body held accountable in court.
“I can confirm that I have personally filed a criminal complaint in the French courts on the 4 March in relation to the statements made about me by the FIA last December,” Wolff wrote on social media.
“There has still not been any transparency or accountability in relation to the conduct of the FIA and its personnel in this matter.
“I feel more than ever it is important to stand up, call out improper behaviour and make sure people are held to account.
“Whilst some may think silence absolves them from responsibility – it does not.”
In one report, the legitimacy of the initial allegations was questioned with suggestions the source of the original article came from within the FIA.
The FIA’s conduct, particularly its president Mohammed Ben Sulayem, has been under the microscope of late.
While the FIA was quick to come forward after the allegations against Wolff, it has maintained a cone of silence with regards to misconduct allegations against Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
Sulayem’s conduct in particular has been questionable with the president said to have approached three-time champion Max Verstappen, asking for him to publicly back Horner.
Now the governing body plans to keep its findings from investigations behind closed doors.
“At the FIA, enquiries and complaints are received and managed by the Compliance Officer, and the Ethics Committee where appropriate.
“Both bodies operate autonomously, guaranteeing strict confidentiality throughout the process.
“As a consequence, and in general, we are unable to confirm the receipt of any specific complaint and it is unlikely that we will be able to provide further comment on the complaints that we may receive from any parties.”
