Bipartisan Lawmakers Question Exclusion of Racing Legend’s Brand From Formula 1

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, Spain, on June 4, 2023. Joan Monfort/AP Photo

A dozen members of Congress have alleged that Formula 1’s exclusion of a racing brand owned by racing legend Mario Andretti might violate U.S. antitrust law.

Formula One Management (FOM), which is owned by American company Liberty Media, late last year rejected the Andretti application, but “work continues” by the organization to make it happen. Mr. Andretti last month officially opened the factory for his Formula 1 team in England and, along with General Motors officials, met with Formula 1.

Although the meeting did not open warmly, Mr. Andretti said, he felt better about it by the time it ended. A second meeting is scheduled for this weekend in Miami.

The rejection of Andretti Global happened despite the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile, which determines if racing brands can join Formula 1, approving Andretti Global to begin competing in Formula 1 in 2026.

In a bipartisan May 1 letter to Liberty Media President and CEO Gregory Maffei, the lawmakers allege the rejection goes against the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890, which prohibits monopolies and other anticompetitive behavior. Andretti Global has a partnership with General Motors.

They wrote that the “rejection appears to be driven by the current line-up of European Formula I race teams, many of which are affiliated with foreign automobile manufacturers that directly compete with American automotive companies like GM. It is unfair and wrong to attempt to block American companies from joining Formula 1, which could also violate American antitrust laws.”

Being part of Formula 1, the lawmakers wrote, “should be based on merit and not just limited to protecting the current line-up of race teams.”

The lawmakers asked Mr. Maffei for answers to questions, including “what authority does FOM proceed to reject admission of Andretti Global”; “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”; and how does the rejection of Andretti Global “square with Sherman Act requirements, since the decision will benefit incumbent European racing teams and their foreign automobile manufacturing affiliates.”

The lawmakers requested answers from Mr. Maffei by May 3.

The lawmakers behind the letter included Reps. John James (R-Mich.), Don Davis (D-Ill.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Jake Ellzey (R-Texas), Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas), Erin Houchin (R-Ind.), André Carson (D-Ind.), Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.), Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.), Ronny Jackson (R-Texas), Dan Kildee (D-Mich.), and Haley Stevens (D-Mich.).

During a press conference on Capitol Hill on May 1, Mr. Andretti, who won more than 100 races in his more-than-three-decade racing career, remarked that his brand is qualified to join Formula 1, which has 24 races worldwide this season.

“We’re ready with everything that’s needed. Give us a green light and let us do our thing,” Mr. Andretti said. “Our team, Andretti Global, is part of every major racing discipline in the world. ... Formula 1 is the one that’s left. And we want to be part of that.”

“If you want access to our markets, if you want access to our fans, you must grant access to our companies. You must grant access to our automotive workers. You must grant access to Americans themselves,” said Mr. James.

The Epoch Times has reached out to Formula 1 for comment on the letter.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.