House Judiciary chief launches investigation into Formula 1 over Andretti exclusion
House Republican Chairman Jim Jordan is launching an investigation into Formula 1 and its decision to deny Andretti Global a spot on the grid.
WASHINGTON — The chairman of the powerful House Judiciary Committee is launching an investigation into Formula 1 and its U.S. owner, Liberty Media, to demand answers about the sport's decision to deny Andretti Global a spot on the grid.
In a letter obtained by NBC News, Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, accuses the sport’s chiefs of engaging in “anticompetitive conduct” by rejecting the American racing team’s bid to enter F1 in 2025 or 2026.
The letter is dated Tuesday and addressed to Greg Maffei, the president and CEO of Liberty Media, and Stefano Domenicali, the president and CEO of Formula One Group.
“Delaying Andretti Cadillac’s entry into Formula One for even one year will harm American consumers to benefit failing Formula One teams,” Jordan writes. “Limiting the number of teams in Formula One will increase the price of sponsoring or buying into an existing Formula One team. As the Committee examines this matter and considers potential legislation around the structure and competition of sports leagues, we write to request a staff-level briefing on the decision to deny Andretti Cadillac’s application to join Formula One.”
Jordan demands documents and communications about the “process for evaluating the entry of new teams” into the sport, referring or relating to Andretti Global, as well as between or among Formula 1 Group, Liberty Media and the 10 existing teams about the entry of a new team. He gives them a May 21 deadline to respond.
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