Susie Wolff Praises Lewis Hamilton's Support in FIA Defamation Dispute

Susie Wolff has highlighted the crucial support from Lewis Hamilton amidst her ongoing defamation legal battle against the FIA. This dispute originated from an FIA investigation in 2023 into a potential conflict of interest involving her role as F1 Academy managing director and Toto Wolff's position as Mercedes team principal.

Why it matters:

Susie Wolff's legal action and the strong backing she received from a high-profile figure like Lewis Hamilton underscore persistent issues of governance and transparency within motorsport's highest echelons. Hamilton's public stance, often against the grain, showcases his commitment to wider ethical principles in F1, drawing attention to how such disputes can impact individual careers and the sport's reputation.

The Details:

• In 2023, the FIA launched an investigation into Susie Wolff for an alleged conflict of interest, citing her role as managing director of F1 Academy and her husband Toto Wolff's position as Mercedes CEO and team principal.
• Susie Wolff vehemently denied the allegations and, on March 4, filed a criminal complaint against the FIA in French courts.
• Lewis Hamilton's Support: Hamilton, then a Mercedes driver, publicly supported Wolff, a gesture she continues to commend.
  • Wolff, speaking on the High Performance podcast, noted Hamilton's consistent willingness to "use his own voice for good" and his impact beyond the sport.
  • She emphasized that Hamilton "always the one that stands up to speak when there's something to be said, or when something hasn't been said, but needs to be said."
  • Wolff believes Hamilton "doesn't sometimes get enough credit for that," highlighting his influence in making F1 culture extend "just outside of motorsport and sport."
• Ongoing Legal Battle: Wolff confirmed to The Times that her defamation case in French courts is still active.
  • She stated, "I refused to be treated that way," referring to the investigation that led to "a huge amount of articles doubting my integrity."
  • Wolff reiterated her resolve: "People can have their opinions on [whether] what I do is good or not... But that’s something I won’t allow to happen, that people attack my integrity."

What's next:

The continuation of Susie Wolff's defamation case against the FIA means that this contentious issue will remain in the spotlight, potentially pushing for greater accountability and clearer ethical guidelines within F1 governance. Hamilton's ongoing advocacy for justice and integrity could inspire other figures in the sport to speak out against perceived injustices, reinforcing the importance of transparency and fairness in professional motorsport.