All nine of Mercedes’ Formula 1 rivals have denied that they submitted a complaint to the FIA over recent allegations made against both Toto and Susie Wolff.
The sport’s governing body announced on Tuesday that the FIA Compliance Department was looking into an alleged case of confidential information being exchanged.
While the FIA reframed from listing names, the wording clarified that it involved an F1 team principal and FOM personnel, arousing suspicion it was related to the Wolffs.
Meanwhile, the FIA’s statement also addressed that the compliance investigation had been triggered by “media speculation”, which related to a piece posted by BusinessF1.
According to the report in the magazine, Toto Wolff made a comment in a recent meeting that could only have been made based on information handed down by the FOM.
However, the other active teams on the F1 grid have shown solidarity by posting a collective statement that rebuffs the notion that any of them prompted the FIA’s action.
The statement also voiced support for Susie Wolff, F1 Academy Managing Director, who described it “baseless allegations” that are “rooted in misogynistic behaviour”.
“We can confirm that we have not made any complaint to the FIA regarding the allegation of information of a confidential nature being passed between an F1 Team Principal and a member of FOM staff,” the statement read.
“We are pleased and proud to support F1 Academy and its managing director through our commitment to sponsor an entrant in our liveries from next season.”
Speaking on Sky Sports News earlier today, Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner underlined that his squad hadn’t been in contact with the FIA to launch a complaint.
“Look, we have a big rivalry on track but we haven’t raised any official complaint, either about Susie or Toto or Mercedes to the FIA,” Horner underlined.
“In fact, Red Bull has been the team that has got most involved with F1 Academy from its inception and to the point that between the two Red Bull-owned teams we’ll be entering three cars. We’ve been working closely with Susie who’s been doing a great job on F1 Academy.
“So, I think we, like others, were quite surprised at the statement that came out last night. But it certainly wasn’t instigated or required or set off by Red Bull.”
