Susie Wolff is rumored to challenge Ben Sulayem for the FIA presidency, fueling speculation after last year’s controversial investigation into the Wolffs.
Toto Wolff’s wife, Susie, could become the next FIA president.
At the end of 2023, the highly controversial current president, Mohammed Ben Sulayem, launched an investigation into a potential conflict of interest involving Toto, the Mercedes team principal, and Susie, the head of the F1-affiliated, women-only “F1 Academy.”
Following a strong backlash within the F1 paddock, the investigation was dropped, with Susie calling it “misogynistic” and filing a criminal complaint over the accusations.
According to Autosprint magazine, the saga between Ben Sulayem and the Wolffs may actually be linked to Susie’s alleged interest in running against the current FIA president in the year-end election.
The article suggests that the investigation into the Wolffs was a “hidden message.”
“As questionable as Ben Sulayem’s actions may be, every decision he has made so far has made sense,” reports correspondent Stefano Tamburini.
“Even those that seemed completely illogical, such as the swift opening and closing of a conflict of interest investigation against Susie Stoddart (Wolff), director of the Formula One Group’s all-female F1 Academy series, and her husband, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff.”
“In reality, it was a way of signaling that he was aware of Mrs. Wolff’s potential candidacy in the presidential race.”
The next FIA presidential election is scheduled for December, and under FIA rules, Ben Sulayem is eligible to run for up to two additional four-year terms.
A few months ago, Ben Sulayem insisted he had no issue with challengers.
“Honestly, 100 percent. I’d be more than happy. Democracy is all the time, not just once in a while.”
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Wolff vs. Ben Sulayem? FIA Presidency Race Heats Up Wolff vs. Ben Sulayem? FIA Presidency Race Heats Up Wolff vs. Ben Sulayem? FIA Presidency Race Heats Up
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