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Toto Wolff Calls Out Christian Horner Over FIA Conflict Probe Reluctance

Carl Harrison by Carl Harrison
November 21, 2024
in Featured Motorsports, Motorsports
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Toto Wolff Calls Out Christian Horner Over FIA Conflict Probe Reluctance

SPIELBERG, AUSTRIA - JUNE 28: Oracle Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner talks with Mercedes GP Executive Director Toto Wolff in the Paddock prior to Sprint Qualifying ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Austria at Red Bull Ring on June 28, 2024 in Spielberg, Austria. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) // Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool // SI202406280569 // Usage for editorial use only //

The long-standing rivalry between Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and Red Bull’s Christian Horner has flared up again, with Wolff accusing his counterpart of being the lone holdout among Formula 1 team principals during last year’s FIA investigation into a potential conflict of interest involving Wolff and his wife, Susie Wolff.

In a candid interview with The Guardian, Toto Wolff revealed how Horner hesitated to support a statement opposing the FIA’s December 2023 probe, which alleged a conflict between his role at Mercedes and Susie Wolff’s position as Managing Director of the F1 Academy.


“Wolff vs. Horner: The Saga Continues”

While nine of the ten team principals quickly rallied behind Wolff, spearheaded by Ferrari’s Fred Vasseur, Horner reportedly needed “persuasion” before signing on.

“Fred took it into his hands and said: ‘This is just so unfair,’” Wolff recounted. “From Guenther Steiner to James Vowles, everybody jumped on to this… except Christian.”

Wolff said Horner initially refused to endorse the collective statement and even attempted to amend its wording.

“In the second iteration, he tried to get the word ‘official’ in the statement. He wanted it noted that no one [among the team principals] officially complained to the FIA,” Wolff revealed. “The other teams said: ‘Fine. We do our declaration and you do your own.’ In the end, he signed it.”

Wolff criticized Horner’s apparent reluctance, remarking, “I don’t think you can rely on what he says.”


“The Short-Lived Probe and Its Fallout”

The FIA’s investigation, launched after an unnamed team principal lodged a complaint, was swiftly closed following backlash from the Wolffs and a unified response from nine of the ten teams. However, the brief probe sparked outrage, particularly from Susie Wolff, who later filed a criminal complaint against the FIA in March 2024.

“There has still not been any transparency or accountability in relation to the conduct of the FIA and its personnel in this matter,” Susie Wolff stated. “Whilst some may think silence absolves them from responsibility—it does not.”

The incident coincided with the recent departure of Paolo Basarri, the FIA’s Compliance Officer, amid alleged tensions with FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem.


“Horner’s Calculated Move?”

Horner’s initial hesitation and subsequent demands for amendments raise questions about his motives. Was it a calculated move to avoid implicating Red Bull in the FIA’s actions, or simply another chapter in his combative relationship with Wolff?

The incident underscores the persistent power struggle between Mercedes and Red Bull, with Horner’s actions once again placing him in the spotlight as the Wolff-Horner feud shows no signs of cooling.


“The Bigger Picture: FIA Accountability”

Beyond the Wolff-Horner dynamic, the controversy has reignited calls for greater transparency and accountability within the FIA. The quick closure of the probe, coupled with Susie Wolff’s vocal criticism, has put pressure on the governing body to address perceived lapses in its procedures.

As Formula 1 heads into another high-stakes season, the Wolff-Horner rivalry remains a focal point, reflecting broader tensions within the sport. Whether these incidents will lead to meaningful reforms—or just more fiery headlines—remains to be seen.

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