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U.S. Congress Wants Answers From F1 After Andretti Cadillac Team Rejection

U.S. Congress members on both sides of the aisle may not agree on a lot of issues, but apparently, there’s one thing they can all get behind: General Motors should be allowed to compete in Formula One. In fact, after months of a back-and-forth battle between F1 and Andretti Global to get Cadillac on the grid, the U.S. Congress has composed a letter to Formula One Management (FOM), demanding answers about why F1 seems so dead-set on keeping Caddy and GM out.

According to a recent report from Detroit News, Michigan Representative John James of Shelby Township joined racing legend Mario Andretti to warn F1 of federal antitrust action if it does not take another look at its decision to keep Andretti Cadillac from competing. A large bipartisan group of 12 representatives signed a letter to F1’s owner, Liberty Media, that demands answers.

Cadillac V-Series.R race car at Long Beach

“We 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,” the letter states.

GM and Andretti are still confident about bringing Cadillac to F1, and plans are in place to put the luxury marque on the grid as soon as 2026. In fact, F1’s governing body, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), approved the application before it was rejected by FOM. The letter alleges that the rejection was fueled by opposition from the current lineup of F1 teams, which are all based in Europe and backed by manufacturers that compete with GM.

“FOM’s 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,” the letter states. “It is unfair and wrong to attempt to block American companies from joining Formula One, which could also violate American anti-trust laws.”

The letter requests a response from FOM by May 3rd, 2024.

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Alexandra is a Colorado-based journalist with a passion for all things involving horsepower, be it automotive or equestrian.

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Comments

  1. From the quotes here, it sounds like it was written by someone with grade 11 English and a grade 11 (16 years old) mentality. You’re telling me they couldn’t do better?

    Reply
    1. And yet it sounds more intelligent than the laughable list of reasons that FOM came up with to deny Andretti Racing/gm an entry. A view shared by many on both sides of “the pond”.

      Reply
  2. 400 trillion in debt and 30 million illegal aliens…..and this is what they spend time on.

    Reply
    1. No, this is good. Let them work on useless stuff. All bipartisanship usually means is more spending and regulation.
      The less they do, the better off we are.

      Reply
  3. European teams know when Cadillac gets in, their teams are toast !

    Reply
    1. *In the voice of Sacha Baron Cohen… “Cadillac, we will not let you and your inferior race cars into Formula One racing. We are so much better than you!” LOL

      Reply
  4. A US Justice department antitrust investigation is no small thing. If F1 is found to be in violation of US antitrust statues as a business operating in multiple US states they could loose COTA, Miami, Las Vegas etc…
    They would also loose a significant segment of the US fans that are following F1 largely for the US races.
    IMO the Justice department should pursue this and follow through if US antitrust statutes are in fact proven to have been violated.
    F1 is profiting in a huge way from the US market if they are in violation of US laws they should be prosecuted and come into compliance or loose their US interests.

    Reply
  5. The government needs to stay out of the public sector issues. They have plenty of dishes to wash in their own sink. Frist drain the sink. I.e the swamp. I know it’s government Motors were talking about. Gm,

    Reply
    1. Just to enlighten you… GM is not the only company that took money from the government. Ford also took money, they just took it from a different pot of money. At least GM paid all their loans back on time … unlike the blue oval boys. If you don’t believe it, google it and get facts … instead of a fake tv advertisement saying they didn’t take money.

      Reply
  6. Liberty Media is a US based company so that’s a major point of leverage the Feds have via the Sherman Act.

    Three lucrative races currently in the US and F1 Management thinking about adding a fourth (Chicago)? This is going to be fun to watch.

    Reply
  7. Oop, i think you meant to write “sent” it to the “spam folder” (read: ignored completely on purpose)

    Reply
  8. Let`s see, I believe at last count, there were a total of 63 people who cared about F1.

    Reply
  9. Is that all congress can do is ask stupid questions.
    How about asking Barra where are the 2 dozen EVs she promised by 2024. Where is all that money???

    Reply
    1. GM has released a lot more EVs in china than here. She didn’t say they would all be in the United States. They’re also building PHEVs there … none to be released in North America though.

      Reply

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