The new year has reignited tensions between Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem. In the aftermath of a controversial and aborted FIA investigation in 2023, involving Wolff’s wife Susie, the discord appears far from resolved.
Wolff, speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, confirmed Susie Wolff’s intention to pursue legal action for defamation. He expressed his frustration with the enduring impact of the investigation, noting, “She intends to go all the way in court… The bullet has been fired and it is not coming back to the gun.” The concern stems from the negative online presence this investigation has created for Susie Wolff.
Concurrently, Ben Sulayem seems to perceive himself as the target of orchestrated criticism within the Formula 1 world, potentially linked to Liberty Media, F1’s commercial owner. In an interview with motorsport-magazin.com, he called for sincerity in the paddock, distancing himself from financial motivations. “I am not interested in the share price or ticket sales. We just need honesty,” Ben Sulayem stated, indicating his awareness of the sources of these attacks. “I know who attacks me… The paddock is very small. Everybody knows everybody. I know who is behind it and I smile at them.”
Wolff, for his part, has openly criticized the Ben Sulayem-led FIA regime, questioning its integrity and stability. He pointed out the concerning exodus of experienced personnel from the FIA, implying a connection to the current leadership’s management style. “It is not a good sign when experienced and good people disappear,” Wolff observed. “When good people suddenly leave an organisation, there will be a vacuum, that’s clear. You have to wonder why so many people have left.”
