The United States Department of Justice is going after the parent company of F1, Liberty Media following the rejection of Andretti Global to enter as an 11th team on the Formula One grid. The US government is investigating Liberty Media over potential violations of US antitrust laws. Andretti Global was approved by the F1’s governing body the FIA. Liberty Media said adding Andretti Global would not be competitive thus not adding value to Formula One and blocking the would-be 11th team.
Liberty Media Under Investigation
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Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei announced in a quarterly earnings call that they are being investigated over the rejection of Michael Andretti’s team into F1. A group of US Senators led by Democrat Amy Klobuchar and Republican Mike Lee called for an investigation soon after Andretti was rejected in January of this year. On May 1st House members held a press conference with racing legend Mario Andretti trying to pressure F1 into allowing entry. Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei said in the earnings call:
We intend to fully cooperate with that investigation, including any related request for information. We believe our determination or F1’s determination was in compliance with all applicable US anti-trust laws
And we’ve detailed the rationale for this decision vis-a-vis Andretti in prior statements. We are certainly not against the idea that any expansion is wrong
Interest in Formula One in America has skyrocketed since the debut of Netflix’s “Drive to Survive” a behind-the-scenes docuseries in the everyday life of Formula One drivers, and Team Principals. Formula One got another boost in popularity in 2021 due to the greatest season-long championship battle between Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. With interest at an all-time high Michael Andretti the leader of Andretti Global is trying to capitalize on the popularity and get a true American team on the grid.
The Real Reason F1 Denied Andretti
It is quite obvious the real reason Formula One denied Andretti entry onto the grid as an 11th team, is money. Money is the sole reason for the shocking denial. Liberty Media can hide behind the competition reason but it falls on deaf and angry American ears. If Andretti were to join the grid they would be the sole fully American team with American automaker General Motors with the Cadillac brand building the engines. HAAS although based in Charlotte, North Carolina has the Ferrari engine powering their back marker cars.
There has been a feel to fans and drivers of Formula 1 a Pro British bias. The FIA is changing rules for Kimi Antonelli, backed by the British base teams of Mercedes and Williams. In contrast, denying American Driver Colton Herta entry despite interest from Alpha Turi (now RB) and Alpine. Fernando Alonso has pointed out multiple times the bias in F1 back in 2021 during the championship battle between the Dutchman Max Verstappen and the British Lewis Hamilton Alonso told the media:
I feel probably what they are experiencing now. Especially Max, because he’s the younger guy fighting with a legend, with a champion. He’s not British, so it will be always more difficult for him.
It could be years before this concludes, and Andretti Global will be better off attempting to buy one of the ten teams currently on the grid. With HAAS exiting NASCAR Andretti’s best beat may be trying to buy out the American-based team. F1 is dug in on not splitting the revenue in 11 ways even if it would benefit the sport to have a Legendary name like Andretti in Formula One. Andretti has made big moves towards a Formula One team from building a headquarters in Indiana and hiring Pat Symonds as an engineer consultant who was working with F1 on the 2026 car with the new regulations coming.
Conclusion
This whole situation shows the bias in Formula One more than anything else the sport has done. Andretti is one of the most legendary names in motorsports and has tremendous backing from Cadillac. With the US government coming in it only muddies the water (although nice to see the two parties can come together on something). If Andretti can find a path to the grid they will be an American favorite, not because they are American but because F1 and Liberty Media went out of their way to prevent them from entering the grid. The best way to rally Americans is to have a European tell another American No.
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