Only the FIA could prompt a rare, fleeting moment of solidarity between F1 teams.
The relationship between Formula 1 and the FIA, its regulatory body, has not been good in recent years. Since Mohammed Ben Sulayem took over for Jean Todt in late 2021, diplomacy has suffered from both passive-aggressive statements and disagreements on important issues. The recent controversy surrounding the unexpected FIA probe into Toto and Susie Wolff and its abrupt suppression is intensifying this hostility to unprecedented proportions.
The FIA launched an inquiry into the breach of private data on Tuesday after reportedly receiving information about it from a piece in the Business F1 magazine. It was specifically stated that the aforementioned information was disclosed “to an F1 team principal from a member of FOM personnel.” It particularly accused Susie of disclosing private Formula One (FOM) information to her husband Toto, who is the principal of an F1 team.
The majority of F1 team managers, including CEO Stefano Domenicali, claim that they were taken aback by the announcement and acted swiftly to refute it. Susie, who has worked for Formula One throughout her career and is currently the managing director of the F1 Academy under Domenicali, quickly released a statement in which she described the FIA’s actions as “intimidating and misogynistic,” expressing her “deep insultation and sadly surprised” response to the claims.
Shortly after Wolff’s remarks, Formula One teams launched a campaign endorsing the powerful couple, asserting that they had no part in the purportedly false reports of misconduct to the FIA. By Wednesday’s end, all ten Formula One teams had shown their solidarity in ways that, to be honest, have never been seen before.
The FIA, which was already finding it difficult to defend the suspicious investigation, came under tremendous pressure from the collective agreement of the F1 teams and the industry’s support for the Wolffs. Even so, it was unable to pinpoint the origin of the rumour that set off the events, stating that it originated from a Motorsport.com report featuring Toto, even though numerous sources linked it to the Business F1 magazine.
Less than 48 hours after announcing the investigation, the FIA moved to drop the whole deal, claiming that it was satisfied no conflicts of interest were taking place between FOM personnel and a team principal. Just like that, it all went away. Well, specifically, the FIA said this:
“Following a review of Formula One Management’s F1 Code of Conduct and F1 Conflict of Interest Policy and confirmation that appropriate protective measures are in place to mitigate any potential conflicts, the FIA is satisfied that FOM’s compliance management system is robust enough to prevent any unauthorized disclosure of confidential information.
The FIA can confirm that there is no ongoing investigation in terms of ethical or disciplinary inquiries involving any individual. As the regulator, the FIA has a duty to maintain the integrity of global motorsport. The FIA reaffirms its commitment to integrity and fairness.”
The original investigation seemed sketchy at best, but the backpedaling of it speaks volumes to the tension between the FIA and Formula 1. In a sport that’s already lacking transparency and fair marshaling, and appears to be torn between its commercial rights holder and its governing body, this latest snafu shows that all is not well.
