Vasseur: Wolff FIA investigation 'embarrasing' for F1

Frederic Vasseur has branded the FIA's investigation into Toto and Susie Wolff as "embarrassing" for Formula 1 - and indicated it should have been handled differently.

On December 5th, F1's governing body announced an investigation into an F1 boss and FOM employee after an article in a magazine alleged confidential information had been passed between the two - with F1 Academy director Susie Wolff "deeply insulted" by her integrity being questioned.

After an investigation, the FIA quickly closed the matter, but not before the other nine teams released coordinated statements denying they were the source of the allegation, with Mercedes blindsided by the announcement.

It is currently engaged in 'active legal proceedings' against the FIA - with Ferrari boss Vasseur explaining how the investigation should have been handled differently.

Vasseur backs Wolff

"I think all these stories are quite embarrassing for the sport," Vasseur told media including RacingNews365.

"The story with an article in a newspaper, which I don't think is the right word, and in this situation, when you are talking about a person, you have to take care of what you are saying.

"It would have been appropriate from the FIA, with 24 hours between the first and second announcement to use the 24 hours before the first announcement to avoid any bad conclusions.

"All the teams were very united and I think it was the first conclusion for me that we are able to act together - it is not very often that even Red Bull was supportive of Toto, so we have to notice that.

"It is good for us to also take the position to discuss [the future] with stakeholders.

"For the first time we showed the teams together and that we could do something like this, and for sure we know that each time the Concorde Agreement [is negotiated], we know it is crucial.

"We are in a much better situation today then we were five years ago before COVID when we signed the current Concorde, and you have to keep in mind that four or five teams almost went bankrupt.

"But today, that is not the situation at all, the business is much more sustainable, thanks to the cost cap and price distribution, and this for F1 is the guarantee of stability for the future."