- Christian Horner was reluctant to support Susie Wolff when she was investigated
- Toto Wolff has accused Red Bull boss Horner of ‘disrespecting’ his wife Susie
- Susie was briefly investigated by the FIA for a conflict of interest last December
Toto Wolff has slammed his rival Christian Horner as ‘disrespectful’ towards his wife, Susie Wolff, after he refused to support her during last year’s conflict of interest investigation.
Last December Mercedes boss Wolff and his wife were investigated by the FIA, motorsport’s governing body, though the inquiry was abandoned within a couple of days.
Susie is chief of the F1 Academy, the all-female series run and owned by the sport’s owners, Liberty Media. It was thought that through that role she might be privy to F1 information that she could pass on to her husband.
Many of Wolff’s peers raised concerns with the FIA over the dual involvements. Red Bull chief Horner was suspected by some to be among the ‘whistleblowers’ but denied it. One unnamed source claimed that Susie did share confidential technical information with her husband.
Now, Wolff has told The Guardian that all team principals besides Horner pledged their support to Susie – before the Englishman eventually backtracked.
Susie Wolff strongly rejected the allegations and claimed they were rooted in ‘intimidatory and misogynistic behaviour. Then, in March, filed a criminal complaint against the FIA, claiming there had been no ‘transparency or accountability’.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff has called his rival Christian Horner ‘disrespectful’ towards his wife, Susie Wolff
He says Red Bull chief Horner (right) was reluctant to stand up for his wife when she was investigated over an alleged conflict of interest last year – unlike other team principals
Wolff insisted on her innocence and the FIA investigation was dropped within two days
Toto Wolff told the Guardian: ‘I can take lots of s***. I’m used to it. But if your wife is being dragged into a conflict she has nothing to do with, and her reputation is immaculate, that’s where the fun stops.
‘But the response was great. I didn’t make a single phone call to any team. Fred took it into his hands and said: “This is just so unfair. From Guenther Steiner [the former Haas team principal] to James Vowles [the head of Williams], everybody jumped on to this. They were all ready, but for Christian, to sign a document in our support.
‘As far as I understand it he (Horner) said: “I’m having my own Sky interview and I’m going to say I’m not part of it. I’m not signing the document.” The other nine teams said: “Fine.” But obviously he was advised that wouldn’t look great and he should be part of the statement.
‘In the second iteration, he tried to get the word “official” in the statement. He wanted a note to say that no one [among the team principals] officially complained to the FIA. The other teams said: “Fine. We do our declaration and you do your own.” At the end, he signed it.’
Will Wolff talk to Horner, The Guardian asked? ‘No. I don’t think you can rely on what he says. I think [Susie] was collateral damage and lots of it was out of disrespect for her achievements as a female racing driver and as a contributor to change.
‘It was also trying to cause s*** to me by disrespecting my wife, diminishing the painful journey she went through to achieve what she did in and outside the car.’
At the time, Horner denied speculation that he had instigated the allegations. ‘This is an FIA thing, they have taken this action and, as I say, [it is] certainly nothing to do with Red Bull,’ he said.
Dropping their investigation into Wolff last December, the FIA wrote: ‘Following a review of Formula One Management’s code of conduct and 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 unauthorised disclosure of confidential information.
Wolff is chief of the F1 Academy, the all-female series ran by F1’s owners Liberty Media, and it was thought she could be passing on confidential information to her husband
The rivalry on-track between Mercedes and Red Bull has often led to frayed relations
‘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.’
Susie Wolff had been incensed when she was initially accused of passing on confidential information to try and give Mercedes an advantage.
The 41-year-old used to be a racing driver herself, becoming the first woman in 22 years to take part in a Formula One session when she participated in practice at the British GP for Williams in lieu of Valtteri Bottas.
‘I am deeply insulted but sadly unsurprised by the public allegations that have been made,’ she said when it emerged that the investigation was underway.
‘It is disheartening that my integrity is being called into question in such a manner, especially when it seems to be rooted in intimidatory and misogynistic behaviour, and focused on my marital status rather than my abilities.
‘Throughout my career in motorsport, I have encountered and overcome numerous obstacles and I refuse to let these baseless allegations overshadow my dedication and passion for F1 Academy.
‘As a woman in this sport, I have faced my fair share of challenges but my commitment to breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations to succeed remains unwavering.
‘In the strongest terms possible, I reject these allegations.’