Rumours have been swirling in the media regarding an alleged breach of confidential data sharing between Suzie Wolff, Managing Director of the F1 Academy, and her husband, Toto Wolff. Although no proof has yet emerged, the FIA has launched an investigation into the matter. According to the original source of the rumors, BusinessF1 Magazine, Suzie Wolff shared highly confidential information about a rival F1 team with her husband, Toto Wolff. Mrs. Wolff released a statement denying the allegations, while Wolff used the cover of Mercedes F1 AMG to release a statement.

Is denial the first sign of guilt? According to other rumours, Wolff is alleged to have let slip the details during a team principal meeting, which subsequently led to a number of rival team principals complaining to the FIA. The complainants alleged that such information could only have come from Formula One Management (FOM) personnel.

Sharing confidential information between two of Formula One’s current power couple raises questions about ethics and potential corruption. Given Mr Wolff’s position as a prominent team principal within F1, he has to demonstrate a high level of transparency and personnel governance if he is ever to address what is nothing less than a potential data breach.

“Idiot” Micheal Massi

A few days ago, Toto Wolff labelled the potential return of former F1 race director Michael Masi as ‘an idiot who made the wrong decision.’ Wolff was, of course, referring to Masi’s now infamous and so-called ‘human error’ regarding his dubious call in the outcome of the 2021 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, which many believe gifted the race win and drivers’ championship to Max Verstappen.

The FIA President, Mohammed Bin Salman, has floated the idea of reinstating Michael Masi, a move that Toto Wolff vehemently opposes. Did Wolff’s less than complimentary diatribe about Masi provide the FIA with an opportunity to make Wolff sweat—a chance to silence dissenting opinions and ensure, at least on the outside, that the show is running perfectly?

Though I acknowledge that my current thoughts delve into the realm of speculative fantasy, the reality can often be more astonishing than unsubstantiated rumours. In organizations like the FIA, ‘power struggles’ frequently arise due to selfish interests.