Vasseur: Wolff FIA investigation 'embarrasing' for F1

Frederic Vasseur has branded the FIA's investigation into Toto andSusie Wolff as "embarrassing" for Formula 1 - and indicated itshould have been handled differently. On December 5th, F1'sgoverning body announced an investigation into an F1 boss and FOMemployee after an article in a magazine alleged confidentialinformation had been passed between the two - with F1 Academydirector Susie Wolff "deeply insulted" by her integrity beingquestioned. After an investigation, the FIA quickly closed thematter, but not before the other nine teams released coordinatedstatements denying they were the source of the allegation, withMercedes blindsided by the announcement. It is currently engaged in'active legal proceedings' against the FIA - with Ferrari bossVasseur explaining how the investigation should have been handleddifferently. Vasseur backs Wolff "I think all these stories arequite embarrassing for the sport," Vasseur told media includingRacingNews365. "The story with an article in a newspaper, which Idon't think is the right word, and in this situation, when you aretalking about a person, you have to take care of what you aresaying. "It would have been appropriate from the FIA, with 24 hoursbetween the first and second announcement to use the 24 hoursbefore the first announcement to avoid any bad conclusions. "Allthe teams were very united and I think it was the first conclusionfor me that we are able to act together - it is not very often thateven Red Bull was supportive of Toto, so we have to notice that."It is good for us to also take the position to discuss [thefuture] with stakeholders. "For the first time we showed the teamstogether and that we could do something like this, and for sure weknow that each time the Concorde Agreement [is negotiated], we knowit is crucial. "We are in a much better situation today then wewere five years ago before COVID when we signed the currentConcorde, and you have to keep in mind that four or five teamsalmost went bankrupt. "But today, that is not the situation at all,the business is much more sustainable, thanks to the cost cap andprice distribution, and this for F1 is the guarantee of stabilityfor the future."