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The US Department of Justice is set to investigate F1 owners, Liberty Media, regarding Andretti’s failed bid
Earlier this year, the sport rejected Andretti Global’s bid to become the 11th Formula One team. At the time, this was even more controversial, as the sport’s governing body, the FIA, had approved the team’s bid on a technical level. The Andretti team released a furious statement following the verdict, which US politicians echoed.
The FIA set strict entry criteria and, after thorough due diligence, we are pleased to approve @AndrettiGlobal who met all the selection requirements.
?https://t.co/TPscNzQEwv pic.twitter.com/mXv7ArOIVY
— Mohammed Ben Sulayem (@Ben_Sulayem) October 3, 2023
While most would expect the rejection to stall Michael Andretti’s progress, it seems to have only encouraged him further. The team has recently recruited former F1 Chief Technical Officer, Pat Symonds, and former Alpine Team Principal Otmar Szafnauer has been in talks with the team. Additionally, the potential 11th team has set up its base at Silverstone and started an impressive recruitment drive.
Now, F1’s owners Liberty Media are subject to a major investigation. The US Department of Justice will look into the company’s rejection of Andretti Global. Following the announcement, Liberty Media CEO, Greg Maffei, said:
“Looking at Andretti, as you saw this morning, we announced that there is a DoJ investigation. We intend to fully cooperate with that investigation, including any related requests for information. We believe our determination, F1’s determination, was in compliance with all applicable US antitrust laws, and we’ve detailed the rationale for our decision, vis-�-vis Andretti in prior statements.”
He continued, “We are certainly not against the idea that any expansion is wrong. There is a methodology for expansion that requires approval of the FIA and the F1 and both groups have to find the criteria met.”
Maffei went on to reiterate that Liberty Media is “open to new entrants” but that the requirements must be met.
Feature Image Credit: @elpatogalindo on X