A number of U.S. Senators have written to President Joe Biden asking him to investigate F1's rejection of Andretti's bid to enter the sport.

Senator Amy Klobuchar has called on the Justice Department's Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission to look into the decision more closely suggesting that F1's rejection of Andretti may violate American antitrust laws.

In the letter, which is co-signed by Democrat senators Gary Peters, Alex Padilla and Debbie Stabenow - whose home state of Michigan is home to General Motors - and Republican senator Todd Young of Indiana - in which Andretti is headquartered - it is claimed that F1 appears to be working on behalf of existing teams and "foreign automakers" to block Andretti, making clear that any "group boycott" violates U.S. antitrust laws.

Like Andretti, the Senators are particularly irked by F1's claim that Andretti would not "bring value" to the sport and would not be competitive.

"The vast majority of F1 teams fail to win races in a given season," states the letter. "In 2023, a single team won all but one race, and half the teams in F1 have failed to win a race in the past 4 seasons combined.

"This competitive balance has not been the hallmark of F1 racing and adding a team backed by a major U.S. car manufacturer is likely to enhance competitiveness, not reduce it."

As for not adding value, the letter points to the increasing success of the sport in the U.S.

"Most striking, however, was FOM's determination that bringing Team Andretti-Cadillac into F1 would not 'add value to the Championship'. While F1 currently does not have an American-based team, F1 has been determined to increase its presence in the U.S. market," states the letter.

"Over the past few years, more than 1 million Americans have tuned into each F1 race, more than doubling over the past few seasons. Last year, F1 hosted three races in America, in Miami, Las Vegas, and Austin, while no other country hosted more than a single race. Even individual teams, such as Red Bull, are courting U.S. fans by hosting events in U.S. cities to 'get up close and personal with the marvel of Formula One engineering, bringing together F1 fans'.

"Clearly there is a financial incentive to adding an American team to F1's roster, and there is no reason Team Andretti-Cadillac should be blocked unless FOM is trying to insulate its current partners from competition."

On a day that Andretti announced the recruitment of F1's own technical director, it is clear that the American team has no intention of relenting... an attitude that no doubt reflects its ambitions on track if/when it is given the all-clear.

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READERS COMMENTS

1. Posted by Superbird70, 22/05/2024 17:33

"While technically 'in' Italy, San Marino is like Monaco, its own little country. I was thinking Emilia Romagna, and the Italian Grand Prix (Monza) as the two races that Italy hosts. "

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2. Posted by ffracer, 22/05/2024 16:34

"Apologies, Imola NOT implant.... dang Google "

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3. Posted by ffracer, 22/05/2024 16:33

"@ Endre : Ok, Italy and SAN Marino have 2 races. Implant was canceled last year due to natural disaster, massive flooding

Great points expert panel - ‘wet noodle of an explanation’ to Andretti: brilliant!

Would give anything now, because of this unified stance, for a true hero like Mario Andretti to finally be granted entry.

Still remember flashes of 1982, Andretti getting the call from il Comendattore himself to drive the 28 Ferrari at Monza and Las Vegas brought big smiles. Testing at Fiorano yielded a lap record and tears from the seasoned, devoted team. Then, that scintillating drive to pole at Monza: everyone went absolutely berserk. This was therapeutic after a most torrid year. Third place for an all Ferrari podium was sweet too..."

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4. Posted by Superbird70, 22/05/2024 14:53

"Italy has two races."

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5. Posted by kenji, 22/05/2024 14:21

"@ Celtic Tiger...I fully agree. I support the FIA's endorsement of allowing an entry for Andretti Global. Like Mario said, their rejection was couched in the most insulting terms and appear to have hardened the Andretti's resolve. That's great news for F1 and all the fans. Not necessarily because it's an American team, far from it, but that it opens up two new seats for, hopefully, young drivers exiting the F2 train."

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6. Posted by Celtic Tiger, 22/05/2024 14:01

"Yes! As the kids are fond of saying these days: "F@#k around, get found out."

FOM colluding with the greedy teams to reject a team that passed all FIA requirements and insultingly produce a wet noodle of a rejection need to be dragged back into the spotlight repeatedly, no matter how many times they want this sporting crime to slither back under the rug.
Let's keep in mind, the teams and everyone else involved had all agreed to what the criteria is for a new team to be allowed into the sport well before this all kicked off. The FIA simply enforced this to give Andretti the go ahead. Its not as if I'm a huge Andretti fan, it could have been any potential team (well, except LKYSUNZ they can go kick rocks for eternity). The fact that they had checked all boxes should have been enough but because the gravy started to pour a bit thicker for the existing teams that they decided to backtrack and ask for more money etc. and still say no, well, sorry but tough sh*t lads.

Maybe if this was some other team they would have accepted the bogus "findings", shrunk back and moped away into the sunset but to do this to a name like Andretti? A storied name and brand in motorsport, wasn't going to fly on a good day. I'm glad they are fighting this on all fronts. This bogus rejection was the final straw for me to be officially embarrassed by a sport I've loved and followed for decades.

In that regards, I'd like nothing more than to see this wrong put right and have Andretti on the grid. So, with that all said, popcorn is ready now on with the show. "

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7. Posted by Endre, 22/05/2024 13:27

"@Superbird70 No, it did not. Imola was cancelled last year.
@Hobgoblin That senile mummy doesn't even know what day it is. This has nothing to do with him, This is an antitrust law issue and the FTC with the Department of Justice needs to investigate. They have started to become active against many large companies lately, the FOM fully deserves an investigation.
@Anthony Silverstone is a European base only, HQ is in the US. Also as stated above, this has nothing to do with the senate or president. The senate brought it to administration's attention but now it is the FTC who needs to get involved. If a US company like Liberty brakes US antitrust laws, then yes, they should 100% be investigated.

"

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8. Posted by ffracer, 22/05/2024 12:36

"I simply love it.

With the reported earnings of last quarter, their pathetic explanation to reject Andretti and/or 1 or 2 new entries -willing to pay draconian fees no less - only shows them as too greedy and they should be investigated. On the question of value, new headquarters in Vegas, 3 successful races in the U.S. alone, huge exposure catapulting F1 into the stratosphere with the massive social media surge and the Netflix super series ‘Daniel To Survive’ lol (sorry, his face and his crass humour makes up half the content) not to mention the exorbitant ticket prices, they have become even more brazen and should be treated like war criminals. Sorry, Ecclestone was never this stupid. Well done F1 and good luck with the peacekeepers lol"

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9. Posted by Superbird70, 22/05/2024 12:02

"Italy had two races."

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10. Posted by rambler, 22/05/2024 11:58

"" Last year, F1 hosted three races in America, in Miami, Las Vegas, and Austin, while no other country hosted more than a single race. "

Yes but only one was on a proper motor racing circuit! The others were races through green tunnels, euphemistically called 'Street Circuits' .

Most countries if given the chance could and have hosted more than on F1 race on 'proper' motor racing circuits. Circuits with a history, arenas to speed, with magnificent views and were the cars look majestic. It is bad enough that our sport is being dumbed down for an audience from the USA without them thinking they can dictate which teams can race. Anyway Ford are going to be involved in F1, Ferrari are part owned by Fiat, part of the Stellantis group, that also makes Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep aren't they Amewrican brands?

Most F1 fans wouldn't care if F1 was banned from the USA, Liability is only after the money and using its clout with American politicians to wrangle another team onto the already overcrowded tracks around the world."

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11. Posted by rnorm, 22/05/2024 11:09

"Their base is in Indiana. They will be a true American works team. And, they'll add value and be competitive."

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12. Posted by Hobgoblin, 22/05/2024 10:57

"I think perhaps that the US President has more pressing matters..."

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13. Posted by Anthony, 22/05/2024 10:41

"I see that the senators note that “While F1 currently does not have a US based team, ….” I’m not sure this will change if the Andretti team is admitted, as I thought they have set up a team HQ at Silverstone!

Much as I admire the Andrettis and what they have achieved, I remain unconvinced that this is a matter for the Senate or President."

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Andretti: Senators call on U.S. president to investigate F1 rejection

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