F1 news – latest: Susie Wolff launches FIA legal action as Verstappen responds to Mercedes link

Susie Wolff has filed a criminal complaint against the FIA over a controversial inquiry into her last year. The F1 Academy boss and her husband, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, were the subject of an investigation into claims of an alleged conflict of interest.

The probe arose in December after a report in Business F1 magazine claimed that other team principals were concerned Toto Wolff was benefiting from information shared by his wife. Two days after the FIA announced its compliance department was “looking into” the allegations, the federation said it “can confirm that there is no ongoing investigation in terms of ethical or disciplinary inquiries involving any individual”.

At the time, Susie Wolff vehemently denied the allegations – calling them “intimidatory and misogynistic”.

Elsewhere on Thursday, Max Verstappen did not rule out moving to Mercedes amid unrest at Red Bull while Lewis Hamilton backed his boss’ wife Susie in her battle against the FIA.

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F1 AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX – LATEST NEWS

Susie Wolff has launched legal action against the FIA
Lewis Hamilton backs Susie Wolff in legal action against FIA
Max Verstappen: ‘I can understand why Mercedes want me’

Lewis Hamilton backs Susie Wolff in legal action against FIA

09:58 , Kieran Jackson

Lewis Hamilton said he has never supported Formula One’s ruler Mohammed ben Sulayem – and believes the sport is sending out a “message that if you file a complaint, you will be fired” amid the Christian Horner controversy.

Ben Sulayem, elected as FIA president in December 2021, was cleared by his own organisation’s ethics committee on Wednesday after he was accused of meddling with the result of last year’s Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and attempting to block the certification of F1’s £500m Las Vegas Grand Prix on the Strip in November.

But four hours later, on another whirlwind day in the controversy-hit world of F1, Susie Wolff announced she has filed a criminal complaint against the FIA following the sporting federation’s conflict of interest inquiry into her and husband Toto, the team principal of Hamilton’s Mercedes team, in December.

Earlier this month, Christian Horner’s accuser was suspended on full pay in the wake of Red Bull’s investigation into alleged “inappropriate behaviour” by the F1 team principal. The employee of the Milton Keynes team has since appealed against the decision to exonerate Horner.

Full piece below:

Lewis Hamilton backs Susie Wolff in legal action against FIA

Daniel Ricciardo on potential Red Bull seat for 2025:

09:52 , Kieran Jackson

“I don’t buy into any of the stories, if you will. I know what my position is in the team and I know what, let’s say… some potential things that could happen if I do very well.

“But it’s like everything, any team you’re with, if you have a really strong season it could lead to maybe something different or increase your position where you currently are. It’s always our objective to do the best we can. I think whatever happens will happen or can happen.

“My objective is to drive this car as good as I can. Now, getting back into a car, I’m definitely not looking too far ahead. Am I thinking about the Red Bull seat that you speak of? No. I know if I do some really good results maybe then that can present itself potentially.

“It’s not something I think about because 12 months ago I wasn’t in this position, I didn’t know if I would be back in this position, so I just take it weekend after weekend.”

Max Verstappen: ‘I can understand why Mercedes want me’

09:44 , Kieran Jackson

Max Verstappen said he can understand why Toto Wolff wants to take him to Mercedes – but the triple world champion insists it’s his “intention” to see out his contract with Red Bull.

Following Verstappen’s ninth consecutive victory in Saudi Arabia earlier this month, Wolff revealed for the first time that he would “love” to sign Verstappen as a replacement for the Ferrari-bound Lewis Hamilton.

Verstappen, 26, is under contract with Red Bull until 2028, but his future is in the spotlight amid the in-fighting at Formula 1’s dominant team.

And responding to Wolff’s comments ahead of Sunday’s third round of the season in Australia, Verstappen replied with a smile: “I can understand (why).”

Full quotes below:

Max Verstappen: ‘I can understand why Mercedes want me’

FULL STORY: Susie Wolff has launched legal action against the FIA

09:40 , Kieran Jackson

Susie Wolff has filed a criminal complaint against the FIA over a controversial inquiry into her last year.

The F1 Academy boss and her husband, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, were the subject of an investigation into claims of an alleged conflict of interest.

The probe arose in December after a report in Business F1 magazine claimed that other team principals were concerned Toto Wolff was benefiting from information shared by his wife.

Two days after the FIA announced its compliance department was “looking into” the allegations, the federation said it “can confirm that there is no ongoing investigation in terms of ethical or disciplinary inquiries involving any individual”.

Susie Wolff takes legal action over FIA conflict of interest inquiry