Despite swirling media reports, Susie Wolff, the pioneer of the F1 Academy and spouse of Toto Wolff, the Mercedes F1 team boss, has dismissed any intentions of throwing her hat into the ring for the presidency of FIA, the Formula 1 governing body. It became clear to PlanetF1.com that the rumors, sparked by the Italian outlet Autosprint, were baseless. Autosprint had suggested that Wolff, the leader of Formula 1’s groundbreaking all-female feeder program, the F1 Academy, was mulling over a run in the impending presidential election.
The current bearer of the office, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, ascended to the helm of the FIA in December 2021, filling the shoes left by former Ferrari F1 team principal Jean Todt. Autosprint suggested that a brief, contentious probe into a supposed conflict of interest concerning the Wolffs in late 2023 might have been triggered when Sulayem heard whispers of Wolff’s potential bid for presidency.
However, this investigation was promptly shelved when all 10 F1 teams raised a collective voice of dissent. Wolff, in turn, responded with a criminal complaint against the FIA in March of last year.
Insider sources have confirmed to PlanetF1.com that Wolff, a staunch advocate for greater female representation in motor racing, has no ambitions to vie for the presidency. The 42-year-old is said to be entirely committed to her role at the F1 Academy.
It is widely recognized that Toto Wolff’s high-profile position with the Mercedes F1 team could potentially present a significant barrier to his wife assuming a senior role within the sporting body, due to the clear potential for conflicts of interest. Thus, it seems unlikely that Wolff will launch a presidential campaign.
The FIA’s regulations permit presidents to serve three separate four-year terms, leaving Sulayem free to contest the 2025 and 2029 elections. Since his election nearly four years ago, the 63-year-old has proven to be a divisive figure.
Wolff, who carved out a noteworthy career in the German touring car series DTM, made history in 2014 when she became the first woman since 1992 to participate in an F1 race weekend at the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, racing for Williams. She made three more FP1 appearances for Williams before bowing out of motor racing at the conclusion of the 2016 season.
In the wake of her retirement, Wolff launched the Dare to be Different initiative, a campaign focused on expanding the involvement of women in all spheres of motorsport.
