After news broke that the FIA had approved Andretti‘s entry into F1 in January, the FOM, which owns the commercial rights to the Grand Circus, rejected Andretti‘s bid to join the grid.
All this in a stark statement that said the presence of an eleventh team would not add value to the championship, adding that the American team’s proposal was not competitive.
Since that unexpected announcement, the historic F1 driver’s team has continued to work on the F1 project and still has its sights set on entering the world’s top motor racing competition.
Earlier this week, Mario Andretti visited the US Capitol and met with John James, who is one of twelve congressmen who have signed a letter, which discusses the apparent anti-competitive actions of Liberty Media’s decision.
“The FOM’s rejection appears to be driven by the current line-up of European Formula 1 teams, many of which are affiliated with foreign automakers that compete directly with US auto companies like GM. It is unfair and wrong to attempt to prevent US companies from joining Formula 1, which could also violate US antitrust laws,” reads a paragraph of the bipartisan signatories’ letter addressed directly to Liberty Media head Greg Maffei.
Congress demands answers
They further explain that team entry into the competition should be based on merit: “Participation of all Formula 1 teams including any American teams should be based on merit and not just limited to protecting the current line-up of race teams. This is especially true considering Formula 1’s growing presence in the United States, including three Grand Prix motoring [sic] racing events in Miami, Florida; Austin, Texas; and Las Vegas, Nevada.”
The letter includes three questions they ask the FOM to answer by Friday 3 May.
- “Under what authority does FOM proceed to reject admission of Andretti Global? What is the rationale for FOM’s rejection, especially with respect to Andretti Global and its partner GM, potentially being the first American-owned and America-built race team?
- “The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 outlaws unreasonable restraints on market competition to produce the best outcome for the American consumer. How does FOM’s denial of Andretti Global and GM, American-owned companies, square with Sherman Act requirements, since the decision will benefit incumbent European racing teams and their foreign automobile manufacturing affiliates?
- “We understand that GM intends to re-introduce its Cadillac brand into the European market, which would support thousands of good-paying American automotive jobs, especially with Formula 1’s worldwide audience and its halo effect on its teams and sponsors. How much did GM’s and Andretti’s entrance into racing competition taking a portion of the racing market share and GM’s entry into the European market taking market share each play into the decision to deny admission to the Andretti Global team, given the public outcry of incumbent Formula 1 teams against a new American competitor?”
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News Summary:
- US Congress demands information over F1 blocking Andretti’s bid
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