Feds Investigating Formula 1, Liberty Media Over Andretti Rejection

Liberty Media, the owner of Formula One Group, confirmed Thursday it is under investigation by the Department of Justice over its feud with Andretti Global. 

Earlier this year, a group of U.S. senators had asked the Biden Administration to investigate whether F1’s rejection of Andretti violated antitrust laws.

“We intend to fully cooperate with that investigation, including any related request for information. We believe our determination or F1’s determination was in compliance with all applicable U.S. antitrust laws,” Liberty CEO Greg Maffei said on a Thursday conference call.

In January, F1 rejected Andretti Global, a racing group led by former drivers Mario and Michael Andretti into its ranks. Had the Andretti bid been accepted, it would have added a two-car American-owned team to the current 10-team setup. 

In 2023, FIA, F1’s governing body, approved Andretti’s application to join the league, but Liberty Media—which owns Formula One—blocked it. F1 ultimately blasted the bid, writing in January that “we do not believe that the applicant would be a competitive participant.”

In April, Mario Andretti said on social media he was “devastated” by F1’s comments in its rejection. One month later, the group of senators led by Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar expressed concern over F1, saying the group could be violating antitrust laws by helping European-owned teams, “including foreign automakers” while Andretti was U.S.-based with a domestic partnership in GM. 

During his conference call, Maffei said F1 is still open for expansion despite the investigation and recent events. 

“We are certainly not against the idea that any expansion is wrong,” Maffei said. “There is a methodology for expansion that requires approval of the FIA and the F1, and both groups have to find the criteria met. And we’re certainly open to new entrants making applications and potentially being approved if those requirements are met.”