United States Congress demanding answers on Andretti F1 bid

Earlier this year, F1’s commercial rights holder, Formula One Management (FOM), ruled out the prospect of Andretti Motorsport and General Motors (Andretti) joining the F1 grid. Now, a group is demanding answers about that denial.

Member of the United States Congress.

In a letter to Gregory Maffei, president and CEO of Liberty Media Corporation, which owns F1, 4 members have expressed “We are concerned about the apparent anti-competitive behavior of two American companies, Andretti Global and General Motors (GM), which could impede their ability to produce and participate in F1.”

Furthermore, the members of Congress stated that this refusal “…appears to be driven by the current lineup of European F1 race teams, many of which are affiliated with foreign automakers that directly compete with American car companies like GM.” It seems that they are doing so.” . Trying to prevent American companies from participating in F1 is unfair and wrong, and could even violate US antitrust laws. ”

Specifically, lawmakers are seeking answers to four specific questions:

• “On what authority does FOM deny membership to Andretti Global? In particular, with respect to Andretti Global and its partner GM, perhaps the first American-owned and American-built race team, FOM What is the reason for your refusal?”
• “While this decision benefits existing European racing teams and their foreign auto manufacturing affiliates, FOM’s rejection of American-owned Andretti Global and GM violates the requirements of the Sherman Act. How does it fit?” The Sherman Antitrust Act, passed in 1890, governs and regulates the idea and concept of free competition among those engaged in commerce.
• “Given the public backlash against F1, GM and Andretti’s entry into racing by taking away some market share, and GM’s entry into the European market by taking market share, have led to the Andretti Global Team How much did that influence the decision to refuse entry to the team that would face the new American rival? ”

As you can see from many of these questions raised by MPs, they point to protests from a number of existing teams against an 11th team joining the F1 grid.

The letter was signed by John James (R-Mich.), Don G. Davis (D-North Carolina), Jim Banks (R-Indiana), and Jake Elsey (R-Texas). The four MPs have asked for answers by May. On the 3rd, the Miami Grand Prix was just starting.

In addition to letters, You can read the full story hereMario Andretti was at the Capitol on Wednesday, appearing on behalf of his team along with additional members of Congress.

At this time, there has been no response from Liberty Media or FOM to the request from Congress.