In an almost unprecedented move, the entire F1 grid has made a joint statement denying any allegations they made complaints which have triggered an "intimidatory and misogynistic" FIA investigation.
On Tuesday night, the FIA – the motorsport governing body – announced they were launching a compliance investigation into Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff and his wife Susie, who is employed by the F1 commercial rights holder Formula One Management (FOM).
The investigation stemmed from claims published in the UK-based BusinessF1 magazine Toto had reportedly made a passing comment containing information that could only have come from someone within the FOM.
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Susie is the managing director of FOM's female-only Academy series.
The implication is Toto could have access to information not otherwise available to other team principals, and the investigation aims to establish whether or not their relationship constitutes a conflict of interest.
Mercedes and F1 both issued statements taking swipes at the FIA, claiming they had not been told about the investigation, and learned of it through the publication of the story.
Mercedes "wholly rejected" the allegation, while F1 – without naming the Wolff couple or Mercedes – said it had "complete confidence" the allegations would be wrong.
The magazine claimed several F1 team principals had complained, which triggered the investigation.
But on Thursday morning (AEDT) in an extraordinary display of solidarity, each of the nine remaining teams issued identical statements – except for their team names – denying they had made any complaint about "the allegations of information of a confidential nature being passed between an F1 team principal and a member of FOM staff".
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"We are pleased and proud to support F1 Academy and its Managing Director through our commitment to sponsor an entrant in our livery from next season," the statements read.
In her own statement, Susie Wolff issued her own statement slamming the investigation, claiming it's "rooted in intimidatory and misogynistic behaviour".
"I am deeply insulted but sadly unsurprised by the public allegations that have been made this evening," she wrote on social media.
"It is disheartening that my integrity is being called into question in such a manner, especially when it seems to be rooted in intimidatory and misogynistic behaviour, and focused on my marital status rather than my abilities.
"Throughout my career in motorsport, I have encountered and overcome numerous obstacles and I refuse to let these baseless allegations overshadow my dedication and passion for F1 Academy.
"As a woman in this sport, I have faced my fair share of challenges but my commitment to breaking down barriers and paving the way for future generations to succeed remains unwavering.
"In the strongest possible terms, I reject these allegations."
Mercedes are still reportedly yet to receive any official correspondence from the FIA.
The F1 Academy is a F4-based women's only series that will in 2024 be heavily supported by the F1 grid.
All seven races on the Academy's 2024 calendar will take place on the undercard to F1 race meetings in Saudi Arabia, the USA (Miami), Spain, the Netherlands, Singapore, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
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