It’s not even been two weeks and we’re amidst the first off-season controversy in the world of F1. However, unlike most controversies, this one doesn’t involve drivers. Instead, this controversy involves the top brass of F1 and Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff. The top brass in question is Toto Wolff‘s wife Susie, and the controversy is a conflict of interest, a concern that was raised by other teams on the grid.

At the start of this week, the FIA announced they received complaints of a conflict of interest between the F1 Academy Director and the Mercedes camp. The heads of these two organizations are the Wolffs, which was the primary concern. However, this statement from the FIA has united the F1 world, so let us look at what the controversy is all about.

Mercedes camp in conflict with the FIA as Toto and Susie Wolff come under fire

The F1 Academy was a massive step taken by the F1 management to promote female drivers in the sport. The F1 organization appointed Susie Wolff as the managing director. However, this is exactly what has given birth to the conflict which now the FIA is looking into.

As reported by Express, the fact Susie Wolff reports directly to F1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali makes her F1 top brass. This has made several team chiefs make an unofficial approach to the FIA claiming there is crucial and unattainable information being shared between husband and wife questioning whether the two should be employed in their respective roles.

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These allegations suggest Susie has crucial information about the teams and various other decisions within F1 and through her. Toto has access to it as well. Suspicions were initially raised when Toto Wolff had prior information about the agenda of a meeting that his peers did not. Wolff overspoke in the meeting hinting to his peers about his prior knowledge which could’ve come from someone in the FOM, ergo Susie Wolff.

Susie Wolff Backs This Young Female Driver of Mercedes Academy To Follow in Her Footsteps and Drive in F1: “She Will Have a Good Chance”

Now FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem is conducting informal discussions to determine if this is grid politics or if there is some truth in the claims and if this scenario requires some action. However, the world of F1 has united as this conflict made its way to the public forum after the FIA’s statement.

F1 world, featuring Red Bull boss Christian Horner and Co. unite to refute the attack on the Wolff family

As the information spread like wildfire, everyone at Mercedes and F1 Academy, including the Wolffs, was under attack. Many would’ve assumed it was Red Bull boss Christian Horner among others targeting Toto Wolff because of their rivalry. However, Red Bull made a statement as other teams followed suit in refuting their involvement in this conflict. An F1 gossip column posted screenshots of all the statements made by all the teams. However, Red Bull’s boss made a statement addressing the issue firsthand.

“We have a big rivalry [with Mercedes] on track, but we haven’t raised any official complaint, either about Susie or Toto or Mercedes to the FIA,” Horner said on Sky Sports News, as quoted by the Guardian. “In fact, Red Bull has been the team which has got most involved with Formula One Academy from its inception, to the point that between the two Red Bull-owned teams we will be entering three cars.”

“We have been working closely with Susie, who has been doing a great job on Formula One Academy. 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.”

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From shielding her husband from controversies to being part of one with him, the F1 world is definitely testing the Wolff family. How do you see this conflict play out?