Members of the U.S. Congress have taken a bold stance against Formula One Management’s (FOM) hesitance to admit Andretti Global and its partner General Motors into the elite world of Formula 1 racing. Their letter to Liberty Media suggests potential anti-competitive behavior and antitrust law violations, questioning the rationale behind FOM’s rejection.
Between the lines
- U.S. Congress suspects FOM’s rejection of Andretti Global’s F1 bid may violate antitrust laws and harm American competition.
- Andretti Global, backed by GM, aims to be the first American-owned and built F1 team, facing a delay until 2028.
- Congressional inquiry highlights concerns over FOM’s authority and rationale in denying Andretti’s entry.
- The Sherman Antitrust Act is invoked, questioning FOM’s decision’s alignment with the act’s requirements.
Go deeper
The motorsport saga accelerates as a bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers, led by Michigan’s Republican John James, revs up scrutiny over Formula One Management’s reluctance to greenlight Andretti Global’s entry into Formula 1. This potential new team, sporting the American muscle of General Motors, has hit a speed bump, with FOM suggesting a pit stop until 2028, when GM’s power unit is ready to roar.
The congressional letter doesn’t just wave a caution flag; it’s a full-on interrogation spotlight on FOM’s decision-making process. Lawmakers are gunning the engine, demanding to know the “why” behind the “no” and how this aligns with the Sherman Antitrust Act, a century-old shield against market monopolies.
FOM’s own words from January indicate a focus on the championship’s prestige and operational concerns as reasons to delay Andretti’s entry. They argue that Andretti’s use of a Renault power unit until GM’s is race-ready could dent the championship’s image. Plus, adding an 11th team to the grid could squeeze the paddock space tighter than a cockpit at some venues.
However, the congressional letter suggests that FOM’s stance might be less about logistics and more about protecting the current European-dominated grid. It implies that FOM’s red light may be unfairly keeping American automotive innovation from speeding down the F1 straightaway.
As the tachometer of this issue climbs, FOM and Liberty Media have yet to respond, leaving fans, teams, and lawmakers alike in suspense. The checkered flag for this debate is still up in the air, and the world watches to see if Andretti Global can navigate the chicane of F1 politics to take its place on the starting grid.
Formula 1 owners Liberty Media have been described by 12 US lawmakers as using “cartel-type behaviour” by rejecting Andretti from joining the grid.
