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The entire F1 grid has denied making complaints against Toto and Susie Wolff

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The entire F1 grid has denied making complaints against Toto and Susie Wolff | Top Gear

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F1 and the FIA in open warfare as teams release identical statements backing Toto and Susie Wolff

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The entire F1 grid has denied making complaints against Toto and Susie Wolff

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F1 and the FIA in open warfare as teams release identical statements backing Toto and Susie Wolff

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
The entire F1 grid has denied making complaints against Toto and Susie Wolff

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
F1 and the FIA in open warfare as teams release identical statements backing Toto and Susie Wolff

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
The entire F1 grid has denied making complaints against Toto and Susie Wolff

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
The entire F1 grid has denied making complaints against Toto and Susie Wolff

# data.attributes.metatag[].attributes.content
F1 and the FIA in open warfare as teams release identical statements backing Toto and Susie Wolff

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Welcome back to the latest episode of The Only Way Is Formula 1. Last night every single team issued an identically-worded statement saying they didn’t make the complaint that has put Susie and Toto Wolff at the centre of an FIA investigation, essentially launching a coordinated attack on the governing body.

Two days ago the FIA announced that its compliance department would look into rumoured conflict of interest claims by rival team bosses: it is alleged that - as they are married - the F1 Academy boss and the Mercedes team principal would be able to share confidential information not available to others.

Susie Wolff is employed by Formula One Management (F1 itself) and answers to president Stefano Domenicali, and would have the inside track on goings on at the organisation; Toto’s role means he is involved in discussions with other team principals, knowledge of which could be handy to FOM.

There is no evidence yet to suggest that either has done anything wrong. Susie Wolff said she was “deeply insulted” by the claims, and believes they are “rooted in intimidatory and misogynistic behaviour”.

And yesterday evening all nine of Mercedes’ rivals showed their support for the couple, each releasing near-identical statements denying they were behind the complaints.

“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,” said Red Bull’s version.

“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.”

The united front is essentially a giant middle finger raised in the direction of the FIA, and more specifically its president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Rumour has it that senior figures in F1 are getting tired of what they see as Ben Sulayem’s meddling in the sport: although he announced in February that he was stepping back from direct involvement in F1, he is reportedly as active as ever behind the scenes.

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And having been wrapped over the knuckles for voicing an opinion on F1’s commercial matters earlier this year - something the FIA is not allowed to do - he has since been accused of overreaching his remit in other areas. Remember Lewis Hamilton bizarrely being reinvestigated for crossing the track in Qatar? And Toto Wolff and Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur being warned by the stewards for swearing in a press conference at the Las Vegas Grand Prix?

He’s also responsible for the FIA’s hunt for a new team that neither F1 nor the existing constructors actually want, and has been linked to an old website suggesting he’d made derogatory remarks about women.

He has never denied saying he doesn’t “like women who think they are smarter than men”, although when the quotes resurfaced an FIA spokesperson said they “do not reflect the president’s beliefs” now. He has recently tried to explain his comments in an interview with the Press Association.

The bigger picture here is that F1 and the teams are getting fed up with the governing body, and the joint action means people are now asking if it’s an agenda or plain old incompetence that has caused the FIA to throw the book at two very powerful figures.

Better order some more popcorn for tomorrow’s episode…

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Welcome back to the latest episode of The Only Way Is Formula 1. Last night every single team issued an identically-worded statement saying they didn’t make the complaint that has put Susie and Toto Wolff at the centre of an FIA investigation, essentially launching a coordinated attack on the governing body.

Two days ago the FIA announced that its compliance department would look into rumoured conflict of interest claims by rival team bosses: it is alleged that - as they are married - the F1 Academy boss and the Mercedes team principal would be able to share confidential information not available to others.

Susie Wolff is employed by Formula One Management (F1 itself) and answers to president Stefano Domenicali, and would have the inside track on goings on at the organisation; Toto’s role means he is involved in discussions with other team principals, knowledge of which could be handy to FOM.

There is no evidence yet to suggest that either has done anything wrong. Susie Wolff said she was “deeply insulted” by the claims, and believes they are “rooted in intimidatory and misogynistic behaviour”.

And yesterday evening all nine of Mercedes’ rivals showed their support for the couple, each releasing near-identical statements denying they were behind the complaints.

“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,” said Red Bull’s version.

“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.”

The united front is essentially a giant middle finger raised in the direction of the FIA, and more specifically its president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

Rumour has it that senior figures in F1 are getting tired of what they see as Ben Sulayem’s meddling in the sport: although he announced in February that he was stepping back from direct involvement in F1, he is reportedly as active as ever behind the scenes.

And having been wrapped over the knuckles for voicing an opinion on F1’s commercial matters earlier this year - something the FIA is not allowed to do - he has since been accused of overreaching his remit in other areas. Remember Lewis Hamilton bizarrely being reinvestigated for crossing the track in Qatar? And Toto Wolff and Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur being warned by the stewards for swearing in a press conference at the Las Vegas Grand Prix?

He’s also responsible for the FIA’s hunt for a new team that neither F1 nor the existing constructors actually want, and has been linked to an old website suggesting he’d made derogatory remarks about women.

He has never denied saying he doesn’t “like women who think they are smarter than men”, although when the quotes resurfaced an FIA spokesperson said they “do not reflect the president’s beliefs” now. He has recently tried to explain his comments in an interview with the Press Association.

The bigger picture here is that F1 and the teams are getting fed up with the governing body, and the joint action means people are now asking if it’s an agenda or plain old incompetence that has caused the FIA to throw the book at two very powerful figures.

Better order some more popcorn for tomorrow’s episode…

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F1 and the FIA in open warfare as teams release identical statements backing Toto and Susie Wolff