Andretti F1 refusal sees Liberty Media face anti-trust investigation

Formula 1 owners Liberty Media will face a probe from the US’ Department of Justice (DoJ) over its rejection of the Andretti Global/GM Cadillac F1 bid.

With the FIA having approved the application on technical grounds, Liberty Media and F1 rejected the push for the American giants to join back in January.

The investigation by the Antitrust Division was confirmed by Liberty CEO Greg Maffei, with US 12 senators having signed a letter to the DoJ back in May of this year, with the push led by Republican John James.

That happened just days after Mario Andretti was invited to Capitol Hill to make a speech, with the team patriarch denying that he asked for an investigation on behalf of the team.

“I did not ask to go to Washington. I didn’t ask to speak to any of them. And anybody that thinks that is wrong. But when they asked me and invited me to go there and meet with them, obviously, I did. Why wouldn’t I?” Andretti said.

“It was a general discussion and they know we’re somewhat in limbo as well and very obviously anxious to arrive at a proper conclusion here. And, and that’s it.”

Mario Andretti denies he asked for the Anto-trust investigation after he gave a speech at Capitol Hill back in May

In confirming the investigation was taking place, Maffei said that:

“This morning, we announced that there is a DOJ investigation. We intend to fully cooperate with that investigation, including any related requests for information,” Maffei said.

“We believe our determination or F1’s determination was in compliance with all applicable US anti-trust laws. And we’ve detailed the rationale for this decision vis-a-vis Andretti in prior statements. 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.”

“We’re certainly open to new entrants making applications and potentially being approved if those requirements are met.”

The F1 owners cited back in January that, “we do not believe that the Applicant would be a competitive participant” for a 2025 season entry, citing that 2026 rule changes as the main hurdle.

With General Motors having registered to build an F1 engine by the 2028 season, Andretti would’ve had to enter as a customer engine team, which the F1’s FOM (Liberty Media) didn’t see as viable in the short term.

There was also a near unanimous voice down the F1 pit lane that it didn’t want the prize pool diluted by an entering Andretti outfit, with only Alpine and McLaren being openly supportive during Micheal Andretti’s promotional drive.

Despite the rejection, Andretti Global has opened up a base at Silverstone, which it hopes to be the hub for a future F1 team.

It’s a 48,000 sure foot facility with around 80 people employed with an eye on developing a car that could race in 2026.

The door for Andretti still remains open for 2028, which will be tied in with General Motors being able to produce its own power unit.

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