US congress demands answers from F1 by May 21
May 8 - The Judiciary Committee of the United States federal congress has formally opened an investigation into why Andretti-Cadillac was barred from entering Formula 1.
A week ago, twelve congress members went public and signed a joint letter to F1 owner Liberty Media outlining their "concerns with the apparent anti-competitive actions that could prevent two American companies, Andretti Global and General Motors, from producing and competing in Formula 1".
Andretti officials were then due to meet with Liberty and F1 officials at the Miami GP. Congressman John James said before that meeting: "We will have our questions answered.
"And those who are seeking to take advantage will be held accountable."
Now, NBC News reports that an investigation of the powerful House Judiciary Committee, chaired by well-known politician Jim Jordan, has been triggered.
In a new letter addressed by Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, Jordan wrote that he suspected Andretti was being excluded purely for financial reasons.
"Delaying Andretti-Cadillac's entry into Formula 1 for even one year will harm American consumers to benefit failing Formula 1 teams," he wrote.
"Limiting the number of teams will increase the price of sponsoring or buying into an existing team. As the Committee examines this matter and considers potential legislation around the structure and competition of sports leagues, we write to request a staff-level briefing on the decision to deny Andretti-Cadillac's application to join Formula 1."
Jordan's letter also asked F1 to produce evidence relating to the "process for evaluating the entry of new teams" by May 21.
Andretti Global said in a statement: "We're glad that the House Judiciary Committee has decided to investigate the practices of Liberty Media and FOM, as called for last week by a bipartisan group of lawmakers."
✅ Check out more posts with related topics:
There is not much Congress can do, may be some economic penalties, maybe. The FIA doesn't need approval from countries to determine who gets to be a raving team. From an American point of view, we have more important problems to deal with, racing teams aren’t one of them.
There could be more value in the European Parliament being involved , Re Anti-competition rules, but going down that route would take longer than waiting for 28
Susan good typo raving team. It seems from some of the comments from some team principals that is what they are a raving team.
The F1/FIA must be happy their not a country. Otherwise the US would probably have attacked them already.
A patheic comment. Fact is Andretti has been poorly treated by a few team bosses who do not want them in for other reasons, such as a good chance Andretti would be successful with all the resources they have in recruiting drivers, technical people, etc. Toto Wolf is one of the prople who flapped his gums prematurely before thinking about what he is saying that was rather unfavrobale to their arguments of not letting Andretti be considered.
Oh probably not. My guess the FIA is happy eith the revenue they receive from the 3US GPS
Gps
I believe it is s retrograde step to exclude more teams to become part of the F1 circus. It is obviously a determination based on greed, rather than the good of F1. After all, F1 is no longer a sport, it is strictly a business operation created to make money for itself, it's management and the shareholders.
US congress can make as much fusss and bang their drums as much as they want, however, they have neither jurisdiction nor legislation to enforce their rhetoric.
✅ Checkout the latest 50 F1 Fans comments.