All Formula 1 teams have publicly denied allegations that they were involved in the decision made by FIA to launch an investigation into the purported leak of confidential information.
Formula 1 teams have made statements through social media to refute any involvement in claims they may have sent complaints to the FIA that led to Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and his wife Susie being the subject of a compliance investigation.
The FIA statement sparked controversy as it revealed that their Compliance Department was conducting an investigation into a possible disclosure of confidential information between a principal of an F1 team and a member of Formula One Management..
Despite the fact that the FIA did not provide any names, it was generally believed that this was Toto and Susie Wolff, the managing director of the F1 Academy series.
The governing body’s sources revealed that team principals had filed complaints, but the FIA claimed in its statement that its compliance investigation was spurred by media rumors that alluded to a BusinessF1 magazine report.
However, it doesn’t seem that the team principals had any grounds for concern, as all of Mercedes’ rivals have stated that they had no involvement in any complaints.
In an attempt to demonstrate solidarity with Susie Wolff in particular, the teams released almost identical statements on Wednesday stating that the FIA actions were not initiated by them.
“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 statements 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.”
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, who is well-known for having shared a turbulent relationship with Toto Wolff in the past, also stated earlier in the day that his team hadn’t lodged any formal complaints with the FIA.
“Look we have a big rivalry on track but we haven’t raised any official complaint, either about Susie or Toto or Mercedes to the FIA,” Horner told Sky Sports.
“In fact, Red Bull has been the team that has got most involved with F1 Academy from its inception and to the point that between the two Red Bull-owned teams we’ll be entering three cars.
“We’ve been working closely with Susie who’s been doing a great job on F1 Academy. So, I think we, like others, were quite surprised at the statement that came out last night.
“But it certainly wasn’t instigated or required or set off by Red Bull.”
The F1 teams’ nearly unprecedented cooperation in responding to the allegations will probably put more pressure on the FIA to provide an explanation as to why it made the choice to involve the compliance department.
Despite the FIA’s decision to issue a media statement on Tuesday night, it is believed that Mercedes was yet to receive any official communication from the governing body regarding the investigation as of Wednesday evening.
It is unclear if the FIA will take action and respond with a statement of its own.
