House Judiciary Committee Wants Answers To F1's Andretti Rejection

It looks like Formula 1 could be heading to the nation's capital, but not for a Grand Prix (although a street circuit around the National Mall might be cool). Instead, the House Judiciary Committee is trying to get to the bottom of why Formula 1 rejected the much-talked-about joint bid to join the grid from Andretti Global and General Motors' Cadillac brand.

Ahead of last weekend's Miami Grand Prix, a group of bipartisan lawmakers sent a letter to Liberty Media CEO Gregory Maffei asking why Formula One Management — which is owned by Liberty — refused to allow Andretti Cadillac on the grid despite approval from the sport's governing body, the FIA.

Another letter from House Judiciary Chairman Rep. Jim Jordan addressed to Maffei and F1 president Stefano Domenicali was obtained by NBC and in it, he explains that Congress is seeking additional information to see if the snub amounts to "anticompetitive conduct."

Jordan requested a staff-level briefing on why the team was denied a spot on the grid, and laid out concerns the decision would harm American consumers while saving "failing Formula One teams."

"If Formula One must hinder competition and harm consumers to protect failing competitors, then the entire Formula One model may be broken and the entity cannot hide behind the necessity of a sports league to pursue anticompetitive conduct," Jordan wrote.

He also cited a quote from FIA President Muhamed Ben Sulayem saying the decision was "all about money" and that the current Concorde Agreement signed by the current teams has a $200 million entrance fee and allows for up to 12 teams. 

There are feelings that the next agreement — which comes in after the 2025 season — could include a higher entrance fee or could ban the addition of new teams.

Andretti Global planned to use a power unit built by GM's Cadillac brand which currently competes in both the IMSA WeatherTech Sportscar Championship and the FIA World Endurance Championship. (Photo by Sjoerd van der Wal/Getty Images)

Rep. Jordan's Letter Calls Out F1's Flip-Flopping On Engine Issue

The letter also called out F1's apparent flip-flopping concerning Andretti's potential engine supplier.

"Formula One also faulted Andretti Cadillac for attempting to use an existing engine manufacturer because it could 'be damaging to the prestige and standing of' Formula One," Rep. Jordan writes. "At the same time, however, Formula One stated that if Andretti Cadillac used a new engine manufactured by General Motors in the team’s first year, a new engine would create a challenge for the new team. Formula One cannot have it both ways."

Either Jim Jordan is a big F1 guy, or someone gave him one heck of a briefing because that was one of the biggest head-scratchers of the entire saga. 

Wanting Andretti to bring in a new engine supplier isn't an unreasonable ask for F1. They need it. But when Andretti teamed up with GM F1 wouldn't have it and even asked GM if they would consider joining the grid with any other team. 

You'd think they'd be all over one of the biggest auto manufacturers on the planet — one that has had some success building somewhat similar engines for their hypercar program — joining the grid.

There's no doubt about it; it's weird.

Maffei and Domenicali have been asked to supply further information and schedule a briefing as soon as possible and no later than 5 pm on May 21.

In related news, 1978 F1 champion Mario Andretti told Sky Sports Martin Brundle on the grid at the Miami Grand Prix that the team is still working toward joining the grid sometime in the next few years.