F1 Reveals Federal Probe into Rejection of Andretti’s Bid Ongoing

Liberty Media has revealed that it is facing an investigation by the Department of Justice in the wake of its rejection of Andretti Global’s bid to join Formula 1.

Formula 1’s governing body, the FIA, approved Andretti’s application on a technical basis, but it was subsequently rejected at the next stage by Formula 1’s owners Liberty Media.

Formula 1 questioned Andretti’s ability to be competitive and also doubted whether a new team would bring value to the championship.

Formula 1’s existing teams, which did not have a say in the matter, were also lukewarm towards Andretti on a commercial basis.

Formula 1 kept open the door for Andretti for a mooted entry in 2028, indicating that backers General Motors—through its Cadillac brand—intending to construct its own power unit would be a major boon.

Andretti has long refuted Formula 1’s dismissal and has instead pushed on with its team, which is based out of a facility at Silverstone, and which has recruited several high-profile personnel, including ex-Formula 1 chief Pat Symonds.

Despite Andretti continuing to work towards a 2026 date, nothing has changed from Formula 1’s perspective since its rejection of Andretti’s bid in late January.

In May a bipartisan group of senators called for the DOJ to look into the rejection of Andretti, while Mario Andretti also met members to push the team’s cause.

Speaking during Liberty Media’s quarterly results on Thursday, President and CEO Greg Maffei revealed that a DOJ investigation is now ongoing.

“We intend to fully cooperate with that investigation, including any related requests for information,” Maffei said.

“We believe our determination—F1’s determination—was in compliance with all applicable US antitrust laws, and we’ve detailed the rationale for our 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.”

Formula 1 has not welcomed a new entrant through Liberty Media’s tenure of the championship.