The FIA said in a statement on Tuesday that it was investigating an unnamed F1 team principal and Formula One Management employee, leading to public statements from Mercedes and Susie Wolff
Susie Wolff lashed out furiously at the suggestion she and husband Toto may be under investigation from the FIA.
The governing body revealed on Tuesday that it was looking into a staff member of Formula One Management and an unidentified team principal. According to a media source, the investigation has to do with Mr. and Mrs. Wolff, the principal and co-owner of the Mercedes team and the managing director of the F1 Academy racing series.
But the team issued a lengthy statement on Tuesday evening in which it said it “wholly rejects” that suggestion. And now Mrs Wolff has made a public statement of her own.
In a social media post, she wrote: “I am deeply insulted but sadly unsurprised by the public allegations that have been made this evening.
“It is disheartening that my integrity is being called into question in such a manner, especially when it seems to be rooted in intimidating and misogynistic behaviour and focus 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.”
In the team proclamation, Mercedes said it knew nothing about any continuous test until the FIA unveiled its declaration. It read: “We note the nonexclusive assertion from the FIA tonight, which answers unverified charges from a solitary news source, and the off-record preparation which has connected it to the Group Head of Mercedes-AMG F1.
“The Group has gotten no correspondence from the FIA Consistence Division on this subject and it was exceptionally astonishing to learn of the examination through a media proclamation. We entirely reject the charge in the articulation and related media inclusion, which wrongly encroaches on the respectability and consistence of our Group Head.
“As is normally done, we welcome full, brief, and straightforward correspondence from the FIA Consistence Division in regards to this examination and its items.”