Lewis Hamilton regrets that the International Automobile Federation (FIA) “questioned the integrity” of Susie Wolff, managing director of the F1 Academy and wife of Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff, who was briefly investigated over a possible conflict of interest.
The seven-time Formula 1 world champion and Mercedes driver spoke of an “unacceptable” situation at a press conference in Baku, on the sidelines of the FIA’s end-of-season awards ceremony.
The FIA announced on Tuesday evening that it was conducting an investigation after various speculations in the media about a possible conflict of interest at Mercedes. According to the specialized BusinessF1 Magazine, several other team bosses had questions about the roles of Susie and Toto Wolff. Since this season, Susie has been general manager of the F1 Academy, Formula 1’s women’s competition. In that capacity, she also participates in discussions at the highest level of FOM, the owner of Formula 1’s commercial rights. She would passed on information from those meetings to her husband.
But the FIA announced on Thursday evening that investigations into a possible conflict of interest at Mercedes had been dismissed. The International Automobile Federation pointed out that as a regulatory body it has a duty to “preserve the integrity of global motorsport”, hence the investigation. But that is not the end of the matter for Hamilton.
The Briton called it a “difficult week”. “It is disappointing that our sport’s governing body has attempted to question the integrity of one of the most incredible leaders we have ever had,” he said, citing words from Susie Wolff.
“And this without asking questions, without any evidence. Just saying sorry at the end is unacceptable,” he added.