Photo: Race Pictures

Ex-F1 driver case takes darker turn as extortion allegations surface

20:01, 09 Jan

Updated: 20:40, 09 Jan

byTobia Elia

The case involving former F1 driver Adrian Sutil has taken a new turn, with fresh details emerging over an alleged extortion attempt against him.

The former German driver had been arrested a few weeks ago, after Sutil was taken into custody over alleged fraud and embezzlement as part of an international operation.

Last month, his lawyer Dirk Schmitz said that Sutil is currently being held in pre-trial detention in Germany, mainly because he does not have a permanent residence in the country and lives in Monaco.

He also stressed that, according to Sutil, no financial harm has so far been caused to any third parties.

Photo: Race Pictures

The case has taken another turn following the emergence of a serious new allegation. Sutil is claimed to have been targeted by an extortion scheme that allegedly involved threats against his family, a situation that is said to have led to several ultra-premium vehicles being taken, with a combined estimated value of around €17 million.

The collection was said to include a Rolls-Royce Phantom, a Ferrari California, a Koenigsegg Regera and a Koenigsegg One:1, among others, including a prestigious Mercedes 600 once owned by Elvis Presley.

"The message was clear – cars out, or else," Schmitz told via Auto Motor und Sport. "These cars are so unique that they can hardly go unnoticed," he further stressed.

The alleged extortion reportedly began with an anonymous phone call from an individual identifying himself as Vladimir, who was said to belong to the Wagner Group, a Russian private military organisation.

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