{"id":32662,"date":"2024-05-06T15:45:51","date_gmt":"2024-05-06T19:45:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/?p=32662"},"modified":"2024-05-06T15:45:51","modified_gmt":"2024-05-06T19:45:51","slug":"payne-andretti-cadillac-congress-threaten-f1-with-anti-trust-action-for-denying-entry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/henrypayne.com\/index.php\/2024\/05\/payne-andretti-cadillac-congress-threaten-f1-with-anti-trust-action-for-denying-entry","title":{"rendered":"Payne: Andretti-Cadillac, Congress threaten F1 with anti-trust action for denying entry"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Andretti Cadillac race team is turning up the heat on Formula One in its bid to enter the world\u2019s fastest open-wheel motorsport.<\/p>\n

Michigan Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, joined legendary race driver Mario Andretti at a Capitol Hill news conference Wednesday, warning Formula One of federal antitrust action if it does not reconsider its decision against letting Andretti Cadillac participate in the global series. A bipartisan group of twelve congressional representatives \u2014 including James and fellow Michigan Reps. Dan Kildee, D-Flint Township, and Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham \u2014 signed a letter to Formula One’s Colorado-based owner, Liberty Media, demanding answers.<\/p>\n

\"U.S.<\/figure>\n
U.S. Rep. John James, R-Shelby Township, and race car legend Mario Andretti at a news conference Wednesday outside the U.S. Capitol, where they discussed Formula One’s refusal to admit the Andretti Cadillac team to the open-wheel racing circuit. James, James<\/em><\/p>\n
<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n

\u201cWe write to express our concerns with apparent anti-competitive actions that could prevent two American companies, Andretti Global and General Motors, from producing and competing in Formula One,\u201d opened the letter.<\/p>\n

The series’ rejection of America\u2019s team, Andretti Cadillac, for entry into the sport in 2026 has set off a firestorm of criticism in the United States and revealed fissures in F1\u2019s governing body between the FIA (Fe\u0301de\u0301ration Internationale de l’Automobile, which approved Andretti Cadillac\u2019s entry) and its 10 race teams (Formula One Manufacturers), which rejected the deal.<\/p>\n

\u201cFOM\u2019s rejection appears to be driven by the current lineup of European Formula One race teams, many of which are affiliated with foreign automobile manufacturers that directly compete with American auto companies like GM,\u201d continues the congressional letter. \u201cIt is unfair and wrong to attempt to block American companies from joining Formula One, which could also violate American anti-trust laws.\u201d<\/p>\n

The letter demands that F1 explain, first, the rationale for Andretti Cadillac\u2019s rejection given that the series governance allows up to 12 teams to participate (10 currently compete); second, its compliance with the Sherman Antitrust Act, and, third, whether its decision was intended to blunt Cadillac\u2019s reintroduction into the European passenger car market.<\/p>\n

\u201cLiberty Media is kicking the can down the road to get more money for themselves at the expense of having (Mario Andretti) racing on America\u2019s 250th anniversary,\u201d\u00a0 thundered James, standing next to Andretti as the Capitol dome loomed behind them. \u201cIf you want access to our market (and) fans, you must grant access to our companies.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Capitol Hill news conference came just two days before the Miami Grand Prix \u2014 the first of three F1 races in the United States this year (the others are Austin, Texas, in October and Las Vegas in November) \u2014 and a planned meeting between Andretti Cadillac and F1. Further eroding trust, the race series has never met with the prospective team.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n