Lewis Hamilton Reacts To The Wolffs’ Issue With The FIA
Giancarlo Perlas December 17, 2023Lewis Hamilton, being vocal as usual to any issue regarding the sport he’s in especially when involving his team, just let out his thoughts on the recent controversy hounding the Wolff power couple and FIA. For the seven-time champion, the F1 governing body’s action against Toto and Susie Wolff was deemed “unacceptable.”
FIA Vs Wolff Fiasco
Previously, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) launched an investigation centered on the suspected conflict of interest between Toto and Susie Wolff. Reports said the probe stemmed from the alleged sharing of information by the couple with each other involving crucial data only they had access to in their posts as Mercedes F1 team principal and F1 Academy managing director, respectively.
After garnering too much heat from other F1 team principals and the overall F1 community, FIA immediately pulled the plug off its enquiry. However, it didn’t come without repercussions as Toto revealed that he is now in an “active legal exchange” with the organization. Pulling an “uno reverse” card on his former accuser, the Mercedes F1 boss is now the one demanding “full transparency” on the matter while implying a possible lawsuit should the body fail to provide a reasonable ground for its past move.
The ever-vocal Lewis Hamilton didn’t mince words in his statements featured on BBC Sport. He found FIA’s act as “disappointing” as it had “sought to question the integrity of one of the most incredible female leaders” they ever had in the sport. Hamilton found the claim to be unfair “without questioning [her], without any evidence”. The Mercedes F1 star driver didn’t mention his boss in his latest comments but it was also in clear defense of Toto if one reads between the lines.
Susie Wolff Makes It to the 2023 Marie Claire Power List
Amid the damning allegation, Susie Wolff became the recipient of the Marie Claire Power List for 2023. The distinction was an acknowledgment of her influential role in the F1 Academy.
The prestigious list puts Susie in line with former First Lady Michelle Obama. They are joined by other women who have made a mark in their respective fields in politics, sports, and entertainment.
Susie shared that her approach in a field dominated by men lies in her authenticity. She advised those who wanted to follow her footsteps to ignore the gender-related noise fade away and concentrate on performance instead.
Toto Wolff and Mercedes F1 Working on the W15
Toto seemed undeterred by the issues constantly thrown at him over the season, including the recent allegation of the FIA. After successfully landing a runner-up position in the 2023 Constructors Championship without winning a single race, his team has been very busy refining the Mercedes W15 car for next year.
Mercedes F1 remains mum on the nature of the upgrades for their upcoming contender but Toto promised a major overhaul coming their way. He hinted new configuration in the unit’s weight distribution and aerodynamics.
Meanwhile, James Allision referred to the incoming developments as “pretty ambitious” but declined to comment further. Analysts and industry insiders suggest Mercedes F1 may finally heed Hamilton’s recommendation regarding the repositioning of the cockpit and it may also introduce a new transmission inspired by the one used by Red Bull.
