Mercedes’ Formula 1 Team Principal Toto Wolff is one of several team bosses to comment on the FIA’s investigation into President Mohammed Ben Sulayem, the latest on-track saga the sport has found itself embroiled in.
Ben Sulayem was accused by a whistleblower on Monday, March 4, of having attempted to tamper with race stewards’ decisions during the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix – where Fernando Alonso was initially handed a 10-second time penalty for an infringement while serving a five-second time penalty before the right of review carried out by Aston Martin overturned the ruling.
The following day, (March 5), the FIA issued a statement when fresh allegations surfaced claiming fresh accusations Ben Sulayem instructed officials to not certify the Las Vegas Grand Prix circuit ahead of its maiden race last year.
The Governing Body wrote that a “Compliance Officer has received a report detailing potential allegations involving certain members of its governing bodies.”
Wolff was asked to comment on this latest off-track controversy within F1 after Saturday’s Grand Prix in Jeddah and said; “what is happening at the moment in the sport in these various situations, we don’t know exactly what happened, but the negative criticism we get is for the lack of transparency.
“We are living in a world that expects transparency and understanding, and in some cases that would just solve the situation. Even if rumours prove to be not true.
“We as a sport should strive to do this, but we will see what the outcomes are.”
During Thursday’s Team Principal press conference, Alpine boss Bruno Famin said “we should really be able to focus on what happened on the track with our sport.
“This is our responsibility, promoter, regulator, teams, to be examples for all.
“There is an investigation at the FIA, as far as I understand.
“They have their own process and they will follow the process. But it’s up to all of us, I think, to be exemplary.
Williams Team Principal James Vowles added that like the general public and press attending Thursday’s conference, he found out about the allegations upon reading reports as they were raised in the media, adding that he was “pleased to see is there is a process in place to review it,” which he said was “the right thing.”
Mike Krack, Team Principal of the Aston Martin squad that successfully submitted a right of review that got Alonso’s penalty overturned last year in Jeddah noted that from the Silverstone-based outfit’s perspective, it’s case closed.
“12 months ago here we were one of the involved parties,” Krack said.
“I think it can be re-read in the stewards’ documents how the whole process was.
“We executed the right of review, we brought new evidence and the penalty was taken out.
“So I think from that point of view for us the whole matter is clear and closed.”
Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner knows all too well the circumstances of investigations under the public spotlight and he urged that people don’t jump to conclusions.
“One thing that I’ve seen and learned certainly from any investigation is that don’t pre-empt the facts,” he said.
“I’m sure the relevant parties and again the process that they have within the statutes of the FIA will be followed.
“All I would urge is don’t pre-judge. Wait for the facts, wait to see what is the reality before coming to a judgment.”
