- A dozen members of Congress have sent a letter to Liberty Media seeking answers.
- A Republican senator says the decision may breach competition laws.
- Andretti has said it continues to work on its F1 project despite the rejection.
Mario Andretti isn’t giving up in his pursuit of a place in the Formula One paddock and has received support from a group of bipartisan members of Congress demanding answers as to why his team’s bid to join the sport was rejected.
Late last year, the FIA approved Andretti Global’s bid to join the grid and many thought the commercial rights holder, Formula One Management, would also give its thumbs up to the project. It didn’t and instead rejected the bid, asserting it didn’t think Andretti could be competitive for either the 2025 or 2026 seasons. It left the door open for a potential entry in 2028 when GM plans to build its own powertrain, making Andretti Cadillac a works team.
Read: GM And Andretti Still Developing F1 Car Despite Being Rejected
Earlier this week, Andretti headed to Capitol Hill and hit out at the decision, demanding answers from Formula 1 owner Liberty Media.
“I’m here to strengthen our resolve to be in Formula 1,” he said. “We have done everything that’s been asked of us and now it’s time for a decision. We’re ready with everything that’s needed. Give us a green light and let us do our thing. Our team, Andretti Global, is part of every major racing discipline in the world – F1 is the one that’s left. And we want to be part of that.”
Republican senator John James is leading the fight and sent a letter to Liberty Media signed by 11 other representatives from Texas, North Carolina, Indiana, and Florida, including both Democrats and Republicans. The letter asserts the decision to reject Andretti’s bid to join F1 may breach competition laws.
“The Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890 outlaws unreasonable restraints on market competition to produce the best outcome for the American consumer,” it reads. “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?”
The letter also wants Liberty Media to explain the rationale for Andretti’s rejection, “especially with respect to Andretti Global and its partner GM potentially being the first American-owned and America-built race team,” it writes.
