Susie Wolff affair… Lewis Hamilton wants to free his voice

It happened out of nowhere, last December, in the form of a press release from the FIA! It was reported that the FIA ​​Compliance Department was investigating an allegation that “information of a confidential nature had been transmitted to a team director of F1 by a member of FOM staff ». What information was it and who were the protagonists? To these two questions, the FIA ​​provided no information, confessing that it was “aware of media speculation” that the lack of transparency would inevitably create.

A team boss and a member of the FOM, how can we not think of Toto wolff, executive director of Mercedes F1 Team, and Susie Wolff in charge of the F1 Academy? This deduction, easy to say the least, the spouses made immediately, stepping up to the plate through the organizations they represent. Initially, Mercedes declared that it rejected “completely the allegations contained in the statement and the associated media coverage” which wrongly undermined Mr. Wolff's integrity and compliance.

On the side of the FOM, the same amazement and dismay. “We are confident that these allegations are false and we have robust processes and procedures in place that ensure the separation of information and responsibilities in the event of a potential conflict of interest”, we could this time read in the F1 press release. Faced with general indignation, the FIA ​​was quick to “confirm that there is no ongoing ethics or disciplinary investigation involving any individual. »

Susie vs FIA…

A rather humiliating backpedal for the institution, and a conclusion which did not satisfy Susie Wolff who then reserved the right not to stop there. This is what she ended up doing by filing a criminal complaint on March 4, the objective being to denounce the lack of “transparency and accountability in the conduct of this matter by the FIA ​​and its staff”. Ironically, the complaint was revealed on the same day – Wednesday March 20 – when the president of the FIA, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, was cleared of any alleged interference in the running of two Grands Prix (Jeddah and Las Vegas) last season, following an investigation by the FIA ​​Compliance Department and a revised report by the FIA ​​Ethics Committee.

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— Susie Wolff (@Susie_Wolff) March 20, 2024

Words "transparency" et " responsibility " employed by the head of the F1 Academy were widely commented on during the drivers' conference held yesterday in Melbourne, notably by Lewis Hamilton who was the most firm in his remarks, praising the courage and speaking out of Susie Wolff. “In a world where people are often silenced, her standing up sends a powerful message, declared the seven-time world champion with conviction. I like the fact that she spoke out because there is a real lack of accountability in this matter, in sport in general, within the FIA ​​where there are things happening behind closed doors. There is no transparency, and we all need it. Including the fans! How can you have confidence in sport and what happens there every day if you don't have it? It is hoped that the position she takes today will bring about change. That there will be a positive impact! »

Tainted presidency

The British also sees in Susie Wolff's approach a liberation of the voice of women in this sport “still dominated by men”. “We live in a time, he added, where if you complain you will be fired, and that is a terrible speech to project to the world. That's why, especially when we talk about inclusion in sport, we need to make sure we stay true to our core values. »

The allusion to Christian Horner is barely veiled, he who was cleared after an internal investigation into accusations of “inappropriate behavior” against an employee. Since then, the latter, who has been suspended from her duties, has appealed the decision of Red Bull and filed a complaint with the FIA ​​which should force the institution to break the silence imposed by Ben Sulayem, who would also have insisted to Max Verstappen so that he publicly supports his boss. Often at the origin of the controversies which have shaken the small world of F1 since the start of his mandate, the man is at the heart of the accusations “intelligence” between the spouses who pushed Susie Wolff to take legal action to obtain the explanations and answers to which she was never entitled.

“The lack of transparency makes one suspicious, and that is why it is so important for the sport to send the right messages to everyone who supports, is involved in or watches Formula 1. We need to show that problems are not just swept under the rug! » Things must be said and the word must be heard.

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