As the FIA clears its president over claims of race interference, Susie Wolff files a criminal complaint against the sport's governing body over the investigation that never was.

"I can confirm that I have personally filed a criminal complaint in the French courts on the 4 March in relation to the statements made about me by the FIA last December," she posted on X this evening.

"There has still not been any transparency or accountability in relation to the conduct of the FIA and its personnel in this matter," she added. "I feel more than ever it is important to stand up, call out improper behaviour and make sure people are held to account. Whilst some may think silence absolves them from responsibility - it does not."

News of her complaint came hours after a 30-day investigation by the FIA's Compliance Officer and Ethics Committee, cleared Mohammed ben Sulayem of seeking to interfere in the result of the 2023 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix and also seeking to block approval of the Miami track.

"After reviewing the results of the inquiries, the Ethics Committee were unanimous in their determination that there was no evidence to substantiate allegations of interference of any kind involving the FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem," read the subsequent statement.

"Allegations against the FIA President were unsubstantiated and strong evidence beyond any reasonable doubt was presented to support the determination of the FIA Ethics Committee.

"The President's complete co-operation, transparency, and compliance throughout the process during this investigation was greatly appreciated."

Ms Wolff's action follows last December's aborted investigation into her and her husband, following claims of confidential information relating to F1 being passed between the pair, courtesy of her role as CEO of the F1 Academy. Just 2 days after the investigation was announced it was shut down again, with little in the way of an explanation other than a brief statement.

"The FIA can confirm that there is no ongoing investigation in terms of ethical or disciplinary inquiries involving any individual," it read. "As the regulator, the FIA has a duty to maintain the integrity of global motorsport. The FIA reaffirms its commitment to integrity and fairness."

The investigation followed a story in the infamous magazine Business F1, which claimed that in her role as head of the F1 Academy, and therefore an employee of FOM, Wolff may have shared privileged information with her husband.

The magazine's editor, Tom Rubython, has a reputation for running stories that basically encourage legal action, and over the years there have been many cases - though, the late Mike Lawrence of this parish was one of the few that Rubython actually sought to take action against.

Rubython is known to have an agenda as far as certain members of the paddock are concerned, particularly the Mercedes boss.

No sooner had the original investigation been announced than all ten teams raised concern over the matter, voicing their support for the Wolffs.

Wolff herself claimed that the allegation was based on "intimidatory and misogynistic behaviour", focussing on her "marital status rather than my abilities", while Christian Horner insisted that neither Red Bull or AlphaTauri had voiced concern.

With this being a criminal action there is no chance of the FIA investigating itself and therefore no chance of a cover up.

That said, the timing does seem somewhat suspicious.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by kenji, 22/03/2024 11:33

"@Max My mental visualisation of your suggestion brought forth a healthy dose of levity!!! Some light relief in a world of disenchantment. Reminds me of a story I read a few months back where a group of climate activists glued themselves to the floor in the foyer of the Porsche Museum. Evidently at 5.00pm the security people came along and locked up for the night after turning turning off the A/C...Requests for sanitary bowls and some sustenance were also overlooked!!! What a sensible response. Next morning would've been interesting."

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2. Posted by Max Noble, 22/03/2024 8:42

"@Kenji - LOL! I’d pay to see Toto gluing his hands to the start/finish line, and having Christian and Zak come and kick the #%$@ out of him! That would be the best Drive to Survive episode ever…
"

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3. Posted by kenji, 21/03/2024 11:17

"@Mad Matt/ Chester/Max and Tokyo Aussie....agree with you all completely.The Wolves never seem to be far away when it comes down to F1 political activism. Next thing we can expect is for them to glue their hands to the Start/Fish line!!! Remember what the doormouse said."

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4. Posted by Mad Matt, 21/03/2024 11:07

"Have to agree with @TokyoAussie, the FIA could hardly ignore this and they actually acted quickly for once."

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5. Posted by Chester, 21/03/2024 10:57

"The Wolff's and their grievances. Just go away"

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6. Posted by Motorsport-fan, 21/03/2024 8:59

"News media frenzy with a Formula One race somewhere in there."

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7. Posted by Spindoctor, 21/03/2024 8:24

"Curiouser & curiouser said Alice.
Formula 1 is rapidly disappearing down the rabbit hole into a strange absurd make-believe land..."

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8. Posted by Max Noble, 21/03/2024 6:04

"1. You can feel there is no “power of love” in this activity (!)
2. What is it we do not know…?
3. What are they all really doing, what is the real motivator?
"

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9. Posted by TokyoAussie, 21/03/2024 3:16

"God, this is petty.

If "claims of confidential information relating to F1 being passed between the pair" was raised, it is only proper for the FIA to make inquiries.

If in less than 2 days, the FIA could see that there was no case to answer (as they did), stating "he FIA can confirm that there is no ongoing investigation in terms of ethical or disciplinary inquiries involving any individual", then that's the end.

If Wolff has a problem with anybody at all, it is with the person who raised the concerns, not the FIA."

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10. Posted by trackrecords, 21/03/2024 1:23

"I've a feeling that this could be one of those legal situations where it's a battle as to which party concedes that the amassed legal feels have reached a level larger than they can afford to lose... "

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11. Posted by Superbird70, 20/03/2024 23:37

"You cannot make this stuff up."

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Susie Wolff files criminal complaint against the FIA

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