Wolff pitches FIA ‘reality show’ after recent drama

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has suggested the recent drama surrounding the FIA has the makings of its own reality TV show.

Various key staff changes have occurred in recent weeks, including the abrupt exit of F1 race director Niels Wittich before the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

Senior F1 steward Tim Mayer and deputy Formula 2 race director Janette Tan also departed their positions prior to the event in Qatar last weekend.

The management of the Qatar Grand Prix then became a prominent talking point following various incidents, including a safety car deployment delay for debris on the track.

“Generally, if you look at it in a positive way, it could have its own reality show with what’s happening at the moment,” Wolff said regarding the situation within the FIA.

The F1 drivers recently wrote a letter, which was issued to the public, calling on the FIA for transparency going forward.

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem replied to F1 drivers, stating his governing methods are “none of their business”.

Wolff hailed the F1 drivers for their unity as he highlighted the importance of protecting the sport.

“I think all of our stakeholders need to bear in mind that we need to protect this holy grail of a sport, that it is, and do it with responsibility, accountability and transparency. And it doesn’t come across like that.

“So I can’t look into the organisation. I understand what we are doing in trying to keep that together. But it’s good that the drivers are united in this bigger picture, like they’ve shown.

“Teams very much have an understanding of what we believe is right or wrong. And so everybody just needs to look in the mirror and say: ‘am I contributing the best to this sport, or not?’”