In recent days the Andretti case has been reopened, with new elements from the United States to try to understand Formula 1’s decision to reject the team’s request to enter the grid at the beginning of this year.
In fact, a few days after Mario Andretti’s appearance on Capitol Hill, as well as the one in Miami for the Grand Prix a few days ago, the Republican Jim Jordan wrote to the owners of F1 asking for explanations on the decision-making process that blocked the hopes of Andretti. The NBC television network published a letter obtained from Jordan with more details on the requests made to F1.
In the letter, which was sent to Liberty chief executive Greg Maffei and F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali, Jordan says he wants answers to ensure there has been no anti-competitive and illegal behaviour.
Photo by: Andy Hone / Motorsport Images
“The Judiciary Commission is charged with examining the adequacy of federal competition laws to protect against monopolies and other unfair restraints of trade,” the letter reads, and it is important to keep in mind that Liberty Media, which owns Formula 1, could be forced into a confrontation in its own country.
“Sports leagues, such as Formula 1, operate in an important area of antitrust law where some degree of agreement is necessary for product creation. However, when a sports league deviates from its rules and practices in a way that reduces competition and reduces consumer interest in the product, this may constitute anticompetitive conduct.”
Jordan stressed that he did not accept some of the explanations given by F1 for rejecting the request made by Andretti, which among other things had passed the FIA’s review part: “The excuses given for denying the entry of Andretti Cadillac appear to be specious , arbitrary and unrelated to Andretti Cadillac’s eligibility to compete in Formula 1.”
“For example, Formula 1 argued that a new team could only add value to Formula 1 by “competing for podiums and race wins”. However, the FIA had already analyzed and approved Andretti’s technical capabilities to compete among current teams, and most teams now existing in Formula 1 do not meet the Formula 1 standard of regularly competing for podiums and victories.”
Mario Andretti, 1978 Formula 1 World Champion
Photo by: Alexander Trienitz
Formula 1 also criticized Andretti Cadillac for attempting to strike a deal with an existing manufacturer, namely Renault, as this could “damage the prestige and reputation of” Formula 1. At the same time, however, Formula 1 declared that, if Andretti Cadillac had already presented itself with a new engine produced by General Motors in 2026, there would have been further challenges to overcome, also given the little time available to set up a project as complex as the Power Unit one.
“Formula 1 cannot have it both ways. The truth, as FIA president Muhamed Ben Sulayem explained, is that Andretti Cadillac’s rejection is ‘all about the money’.”
The Committee also considered that the arguments put forward that an eleventh team would harm the interests of the existing teams alluded to anti-competitive behaviour. “Weak teams want to be protected from competition at the expense of the public. An additional team would compete for prize money and sponsorships.”
“If Formula 1 must impede competition and harm the public to protect struggling teams, then the entire F1 model could be overhauled and F1 cannot hide behind the need for a sports league to pursue anti-competitive conduct. Delaying Andretti Cadillac’s entry into Formula 1 by even one year will harm the American public and benefit Formula 1 teams in crisis.”
Michael Andretti, Andretti Global Owner, Mike Krack, Aston Martin F1 Team Principal
Photo by: Erik Junius
In an attempt to aid the Committee’s investigation into the matter, Jordan requested documents and a briefing from F1 on what happened. It has requested all documents and communications that relate to or concern the evaluation process of the new teams and Andretti, as well as everything relating to F1’s decision to reject Andretti last January.
Furthermore, all documents and communications between F1 and the ten current teams regarding the entry of new teams have been requested, as well as any communications relating to the entry of new teams or entry fees under the current Concorde Agreement, to understand the state of things. For this reason, an official meeting was also requested as soon as possible, at least by May 21st.
Last week, several members of Congress wrote to F1 demanding answers regarding Andretti’s decision and whether or not F1’s actions had placed “unreasonable restrictions on competition in the marketplace” inconsistent with US laws.
Speaking during a press conference outside the US Capitol last week, Mario Andretti said: “We did everything that was asked of us. In my F1 career I have represented the United States with pride. My proudest moments they were the ones where I stood on the podium with the American national anthem.”
F1 declined to comment on the matter when contacted by Motorsport.com.
#F1Andretti #clash #United #States #Chamber #opens #investigation
