F1, Mercedes and Susie Wolff have each released statements tonight in reaction to the news that the FIA is to investigate a possible conflict of interest.

The investigation follows a report in Business F1 magazine in which it is claimed that rival team bosses have expressed concern at the possibility of Susie Wolff, who is employed by F1 as head of its F1 Academy series for women, sharing information involving FOM with her husband in his capacity as Mercedes boss.

Though the FIA statement did not identify who it is investigating, only referring to an "allegation of information of a confidential nature being passed to an F1 team principal from a member of FOM personnel", all three parties have reacted.

"We have complete confidence that the allegations are wrong," reads F1's statement, "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."

"I am deeply insulted but sadly unsurprised by the public allegations that have been made this evening," said Susie Wolff in her statement.

"It is disheartening that my integrity is being called into question in such a manner, especially when it seems to be rooted in intimidatory and misogynistic behaviour, and focused on my marital status rather than my abilities.

"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."

Finally came the statement from Mercedes.

"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," it read.

"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."

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by stackvideo, 07/12/2023 2:38

"Now that the is season is over they need to invent something to spice up the show"

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2. Posted by Defiant, 06/12/2023 21:41

"As I stated in the other article on this subject, I think Suzie is a good choice for the academy and hope that that continues, but if there truly is smoke it's only right to thoroughly investigate it. So, Sorry Suzie, crying victim like a GenZ isn't going to wash. It has nothing to do with misogyny or your marital status. It may be to do with conversations you've had at home.
I'm not suggesting that they are guilty, I'm just playing devils advocate.
If it turns out to be true, I would lay the blame at Toto's feet.
If your wife has told you something in confidence (something that happens in every home on the globe daily), how about you learn when to zip it. "

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3. Posted by Tyrbiter, 06/12/2023 16:56

"I keep wondering if there might be an article about racing and technical stuff, but it seems not very often these days.
"

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4. Posted by kenji, 06/12/2023 14:08

"@Mad Matt...Classic wedge. Damned if you do and damned if you don't. What strategists call a set piece."

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5. Posted by Mad Matt, 06/12/2023 13:23

"Susie seems to be doing her best to throw the hounds off the sent... sexism... marital status.... hatred of women....

My understanding is that they are being investigated because someone thinks they've been sharing confidential information. So not just her and the reasoning seems to be that one of them appeared to have information that they shouldn't have but that the other knew. It doesn't seem unreasonable to suspect that this information might have been passed between them in the context of their relationship.

Doesn't sound sexist to me.... factually incorrect perhaps but it seems entirely proper to investigate the matter. "

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6. Posted by Stitch431, 06/12/2023 10:31

"Look no further than the entire 21 season where Masi was in the pocket of Toto even until after the first bend in the last race where Lewis should have given back his position, which Masi and his stewards let go unpunished. Toto just pushed him too far by bring a lawyer to the race, when Masi obviously decided that enough was enough. In my opinion the Australian deserves a medal for that."

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7. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 06/12/2023 7:50

"Didn't the FIA sing a similar tune when a former lawyer for Mercedes F1, Rao, was hired on and then suspicious events unfolded soon after with a TD for bouncing (which Merc suffered badly with) was pushed through without any of the normal due process a TD needs to go through and then Toto had been the first of the teams to know of RedBull's overspend a week before Red Bull were officially told."

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8. Posted by kenji, 06/12/2023 0:45

"So what's new? Everyone's a victim and as for 'unsubstantiated allegations', look no further than Abu Dhabi '21."

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F1, Mercedes and Susie Wolff react to FIA investigation

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