The letter accuses F1 Management of potentially violating antitrust laws.
A cross-party group of parliamentarians has asked F1 owner Liberty Media to answer why the US-based team backed by racing legend Mario Andretti was removed from the world’s most prestigious motor racing series. I’m looking for it.
F1’s governing body, the FIA, initially accepted Andretti Global’s push to join the grid. However, the sport’s commercial rights holder, Formula One Management (FOM), ruled out Andretti’s plans to enter the sport, saying the team would not be ready for future races. F1 cited several competitive concerns and stated that “the existence of an 11th team does not in itself add value to the championship.”
In a letter to Liberty President and CEO Greg Maffei, 12 U.S. representatives said, “Two U.S. companies, Andretti Global and General Motors (GM), “We are concerned about obvious anti-competitive behavior that could prevent us from participating in the war.” . ”
The partnership between Andretti Global and General Motors was supposed to result in the only American-built and designed engine in F1 history.
The letter went on to accuse FOM of potentially violating US antitrust laws, saying it was “unfair and wrong to seek to prevent US companies from participating in F1”. .
Rep. John James, a Republican from Michigan, where General Motors is based, is leading the fight. The letter was signed by 11 other members of Congress, both Democratic and Republican, from Texas, North Carolina, Indiana, and Florida.
Lawmakers sent Liberty Media three questions, asking how FOM’s denial fits with the requirements of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 and what the basis for firing the first American-owned and built team was. I asked.
The letter states, “The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 prohibits unreasonable restrictions on market competition to achieve the best outcomes for American consumers. “How does what they did meet the requirements of the Sherman Act since 1890?” Will this decision benefit existing European racing teams and their foreign car manufacturing affiliates?”
Andretti, a former Formula 1 world champion, met with members of Congress on Tuesday to drum up support for the team, and on Wednesday he advocated for the team’s participation in the sport at a press conference outside Parliament House.
“We want to represent the United States on the world stage in F1,” Andretti said.
He added: “We have all the tools available. All we need is an absolute green light.”
“America is demanding what it deserves. If you want access to American markets, if you want access to American fans, you have to give access to American companies, you have to give American auto workers access. We must allow access to Americans, and we must allow access to Americans themselves,” the congressman said. James said.
Liberty Media declined ABC News’ request for comment.
F1’s fan base has grown dramatically in the United States, and Andretti’s lobbying visit to Congress comes ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.
“The participation of all F1 teams, including American teams, should be based on merit and not limited to protecting the current race team line-up. This includes the three grand races. This is especially true given F1’s growing presence in the United States, including “auto racing events in Miami, Florida, Austin, Texas, and Las Vegas, Nevada,” the representatives’ letter states.