When the FIA launched an investigation into alleged conflicts of interest between Toto Wolff (the boss of Mercedes F1) and Susie Wolff (director of the F1 Academy and wife of Toto Wolff), all the bosses supported their Mercedes F1 counterpart .
But where did the matter come from? All eyes are obviously on Christian Horner: due to his rivalry with Toto Wolff, wouldn't the leader of Milton Keynes have tried to throw a banana skin at his Brackley counterpart? No proof exists so far.
But Toto Wolff also relaunched the matter recently, in an interview with the British Guardian, assuring that Christian Horner had initially hesitated to sign a document showing his support for Susie Wolff. Follow my gaze…
“I can take a lot of s**t,” said Toto Wolff about this investigation… “I’m used to it. But if your wife is involved in a conflict she had nothing to do with, and her reputation is impeccable, then the game ends. »
“But the response has been excellent. I haven't made any phone calls to any team. Fred [Vasseur, directeur de Ferrari] took matters into his own hands and said, 'This is so unfair.' By Guenther Steiner [ancien directeur de Haas] to James Vowles [directeur de Williams]everyone mobilized. They were all ready, except Christian, to sign a document in our favor. »
According to Wolff, why would Christian Horner want (according to him) not to sign the document straight away? Let's listen to Toto…
« [Horner aurait dit, selon Wolff] : I have my own interview with Sky and I'm going to say that I'm not taking part in that. I do not sign the document. »
Ultimately, Wolff claims Horner was advised to sign the document for image reasons, although he tried to add changes. “In the end he signed. »
Horner attacks Toto Wolff's alleged hypocrisy!
Directly targeted by Toto Wolff's accusations, Christian Horner responded sharply… it feels like we're back in 2021, at the peak of the rivalry between the two bosses!
“Toto sent me a message at the end of last year to thank me for standing up for Susie today and showing that there is a red line and that the teams are united. And I said, 'No problem, I said what I think.' So why does he need to bring out all this c******* this week, I have no idea. »
“I was a little surprised to see his comments because he thanked me for my support. I didn't say a word. I didn't respond to Zak's provocations this year [Brown, directeur de McLaren]. I didn't respond to Toto's questions. However, I dealt with him, while he was courting our driver (Max Verstappen). I also had dealings with them because they were courting our sponsors. I just thought, 'Let them do it.' »
And still a very good player, Christian Horner takes the opportunity to link Toto Wolff's alleged bad faith to the performance of Mercedes F1… even if his comments risk falling flat after the German team's double in Las Vegas.
“They have had a very uncompetitive three years, by their own standards. Lewis [Hamilton] decided to leave the team. Maybe he doesn't believe in the future that has been presented to him and he probably needs that renewed motivation that the challenge at Ferrari will offer him, and it will be fascinating and great for Formula 1 to see him do this. »
“When you're not up to par as a team, the less you talk, the more you focus on solving your own problems, the better. »
