Mercedes issue response after FIA open Wolff investigation

The Mercedes Formula 1 team has issued a response after the FIA opened an investigation into an alleged conflict of interest surrounding Toto Wolff.

The FIA is believed to be reacting to complaints made by other Team Principals over the information that could be distributed by Wolff to his wife Susie.

Susie Wolff is currently the managing director of the F1 Academy series, which is run by Formula One Management (FOM).

Concerns have been raised over Toto Wolff potentially having access to confidential details regarding FOM activities while in turn, his wife Susie may have information discussed strictly between the team bosses.

Mercedes has asserted that it is confident that Wolff has committed no wrongdoing and revealed that it was only informed of the investigation through the FIA's public statement.

“We note the generic statement from the FIA this evening, which responds to unsubstantiated allegations from a single media outlet, and the off-record briefing which has linked it to the Team Principal of Mercedes-AMG F1,” the statement read.

“The Team has received no communication from the FIA Compliance Department on this topic and it was highly surprising to learn of the investigation through a media statement.

“We wholly reject the allegation in the statement and associated media coverage, which wrongly impinges on the integrity and compliance of our Team Principal.

“As a matter of course, we invite full, prompt, and transparent correspondence from the FIA Compliance Department regarding this investigation and its contents.”

F1's statement

Formula 1 itself has also released a statement following the FIA's announcement and has denied any allegations of malpractice.

“We note the public statement made by the FIA this evening that was not shared with us in advance,” the statement read.

“We have complete confidence that the allegations are wrong, and we have robust processes and procedures that ensure the segregation of information and responsibilities in the event of any potential conflict of interest.

We are confident that no member of our team has made any unauthorised disclosure to a Team Principal and would caution anyone against making imprudent and serious allegations without substance.”