Vasseur says FIA/Wolff controversy ‘quite embarrassing’ for F1

Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur was not impressed with the FIA's handling of its recent brief inquiry into a potential conflict of interest involving Toto and Susie Wolff.

The Frenchman believes the FIA could have investigated the matter privately and avoided the embarrassment that ensued from the public probe.

Earlier this month, F1’s governing body announced that it was investigating a media report alleging that F1 Academy managing director Susie Wolff – an employee of Formula One Management – had shared confidential information with her husband, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff.

However, the investigation was dropped just two days later, with the FIA stating that it was satisfied with the existing processes to prevent the unauthorized disclosure between parties of confidential information.

• Read also: Hamilton rips FIA for ‘unacceptable’ behaviour

Vasseur, the first team boss to publicly comment on the matter and a close friend of Toto Wolff, has expressed his belief that the FIA should have handled the matter more discreetly, arguing that the public nature of the probe was unnecessary and harmful to the reputations of the Wolffs.

“I think this story is quite embarrassing for our sport,” Vasseur said, speaking in Maranello to selected members of the media.

“The story started with an article in a newspaper, I don't know if newspaper is the right word. And I think in this situation when you are speaking about an individual, you have to take care of what you are saying.

“I think it would have been appropriate from the FIA. They needed 24 hours between the [first] announcement and the second announcement. It would have made sense to use the 24 hours before the first announcement [to investigate], to avoid any bad conclusions."

As the Wolff couple furiously denied the allegations of a conflict of interest and undertook legal counsel, they were supported by a remarkable united front offered by F1’s teams.

Vasseur noted that one positive outcome from the controversy was precisely the rare display of solidarity among the sport’s 10 teams.

“After the 'incident' of last week at least the teams were very united,” he added. “The first conclusion for me is that we were able to act together and it's not very often that even Red Bull was supportive of Toto! [Vasseur laughs]

“And honestly, I think it's a good point for us also to take position and to discuss with the other stakeholders. I think it's the first time the teams together showed something like this.”

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