“The Stories Were Embarrassing”: Frederic Vasseur Stands Strong With Toto Wolff in Battle Against FIA

FIA has been in the limelight recently and not for a good reason. Recent incidents like Carlos Sainz’s penalty in Las Vegas when he wasn’t even at fault come to mind. However, the investigation against Susie Wolff and Toto Wolff for conflict of interest is the hottest and most recent mess up. With the water somewhat under the bus, Frederic Vasseur has now come out supporting Susie and Toto Wolff while taking a jab at the FIA. But what did he say?

FIA opened an investigation on Susie and Toto Wolff for conflict of interest after an article suggested that some teams complained to FIA. The complaint was that the Mercedes CEO has access to confidential information via Susie Wolff that other teams don’t. It is believed that the premise of the investigation was an article and not any other solid proof. When the teams refused to make any complaints about the FIA and posted them on Social Media, it was clear that the FIA didn’t think about the investigation thoroughly.  

Susie and Toto Wolff, along with Mercedes, retaliated, questioning FIA for misogynistic accusations. In the end, FIA took back its investigation, but still, the question of why they did open it in the first place remains. Frederic Vasseur has now come out and shown his support for the Wolffs by pointing out FIA’s wrongdoing and the premature decision to open an investigation. 

According to it.motorsport.com, Frederic Vasseur said, “I think all these stories were embarrassing. It all started with an article that appeared in a newspaper. In a situation involving a person, you have to be very careful about what you say and I think it would have been appropriate for the FIA to take more time and let the 24 hours pass between the first and second announcements. A bad situation would have been avoided.”

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Talking about how even Red Bull supported Wolff, Vasseur added, “I believe that, at least, the most important thing about ‘the accident’ of last week is that all the teams were united. We were able to band together and it didn’t happen very often. Red Bull also supported Toto, and I think this is not an easy thing to see (laughs). Toto Wolff himself came out with a statement after the FIA dropped the investigation. The Mercedes Boss slammed the FIA for the investigation and expressed how it felt on his part.

Toto Wolff slams FIA for “Personal Attack”

The whole basis of the FIA’s investigation was the fact that Toto Wolff and Susie Wolff are partners. And with one of them being a member of the FOM (Formula One Management), Toto Wolff has access to some confidential information. A straight attack from FIA on the Wolffs for not being able to keep their profession and personal life separate, an attack on their character. Toto Wolff didn’t hold back in expressing his annoyance and called the attack a personal one. 

Toto Wolff said, “An absurd accusation was created out of nowhere. It was a personal attack in which a red line was crossed. After ten years as team boss, I’m already pretty hardened and can hardly be surprised anymore, but this story was shocking. If I’m caught in the crossfire, it’s no problem for me at all. I’ve developed a thick skin and can handle it. But when you attack my family, it’s a different level.”

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