Infotainment Factory: F1 investigation dropped in extraordinary backflip

Just two days after announcing it had launched an investigation into a supposed conflict of interest between Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff and F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff, motorsport's governing body has dropped its inquest.

On Wednesday, the FIA confirmed its compliance department was looking into whether confidential information from within Formula One Management (FOM) had been shared with an F1 team principal.

That storm was created after a report in BusinessF1 alleged team principals from other squads had made complaints to the FIA president Ben Sulayem after suggestions Toto Wolff made comments that could have only been made with information from within FOM.

The theory was put forward that Toto Wolff's wife Susie Wolff had access to that information given her role with the F1 Academy, which is owned and operated by F1's commercial rights holders.

F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff (left) and her husband Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.

Mercedes denounced the allegations and Susie Wolff unleashed a tirade on social media, lashing the implication. F1 itself also put its weight behind the Wolffs.

A day later, every F1 team outside of Mercedes released the same statement denying their respective team principals had made such allegations against Toto or Susie.

"We can confirm that we have not made any complaint to the FIA regarding the allegation of information of a confidential nature being passed between an F1 team principal and a member of FOM staff," the statement read.

"We are pleased and proud to support F1 Academy and its managing director through our commitment to sponsor an entrant in our liveries from next season."

FIA president Ben Sulayem (left) with F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali at the Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

Just a day out from the FIA awards gala, the governing body confirmed the investigation had been dropped.

"Following a review of Formula One Management's F1 Code of Conduct and F1 Conflict of Interest Policy and confirmation that appropriate protective measures are in place to mitigate any potential conflicts, the FIA is satisfied that FOM's compliance management system is robust enough to prevent any unauthorized disclosure of confidential information," the statement read.

"The FIA can confirm that there is no ongoing investigation in terms of ethical or disciplinary inquiries involving any individual. As the regulator, the FIA has a duty to maintain the integrity of global motorsport. The FIA reaffirms its commitment to integrity and fairness."

The matter has prompted questions about Sulayem's tenure at the FIA and the governing body's relationship with F1.

Sulayem, who was elected at the end of 2021, has been the subject of several controversies that have since seen him distance himself from F1.

He received a cease and desist letter from F1's lawyers following a terse reaction on social media to reports claiming Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund had tried to buy the sport for $20 billion.

Sulayem doubled down after a personal blog in which he made misogynistic comments about women was unearthed, stating he does "not like women who think they are smarter than men."

He told the Press Association in response, "What did I say, if I said it? Let's assume it was [me]. I tell you exactly what it said. It says: 'I hate when women think they are smarter than us'. But they hate when men think they are smarter than them.

"Did I say we are smarter? No. Did I say they are less smarter? No. For God's sake, if that is the only thing they have against me, please be my guest, you can do worse than that."

According to the BBC, the relationship between F1 and the FIA is as strained as ever after a series of incidents at the tail end of the 2023 season.

Such is the situation that F1 owners Liberty Media may lose patience and consider breaking away from the FIA if Sulayem continues acting in a matter seen to be detrimental to the sport.