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BREAKING: The chairman of the United States House Judiciary Committee, Jim Jordan, has initiated a probe into Liberty Media's decision to deny Andretti's entry into Formula 1,following Mario Andretti's appearance on Capitol Hill.
Jordan has written to F1's owners, requesting explanations for the decision-making process that led to blocking Andretti's hopes. The letter, obtained by NBC, outlines a request for documents and information regarding F1's denial of Andretti's grid spot. Jordan aims to ensure that no illegal anti-competitive behavior occurred and expresses skepticism towards F1's explanations for rejecting Andretti's bid in January.
“The Committee on the Judiciary is responsible for examining the sufficiency of federal competition laws to protect against monopolies and other unfair restraints on trade,”
“Sports leagues, like Formula 1, operate in a notable area of antitrust law in which some degree of collusion is necessary for the creation of the product.”
“However, when a sports league deviates from its rules and practices in a manner that reduces competition and depresses consumer interest in the product, the collusion may amount to anti-competitive conduct.”
“The excuses put forward for denying Andretti Cadillac’s entry appear to be pretextual, arbitrary, and unrelated to Andretti Cadillac’s suitability to compete in Formula 1.”
“For example, Formula 1 alleged that a new team could only add value to Formula 1 by 'competing for podiums and race wins.'”
"However, the FIA had already analysed—and approved of—the technical capabilities of Andretti Cadilac to compete among current teams, and most current teams in Formula 1 do not meet Formula 1’s standard of regularly competing for 'podiums and race wins”
“Formula 1 cannot have it both ways. The truth, as FIA President Muhamed Ben Sulayem explained, is that the rejection of Andretti Cadillac is 'all about money.'"
“Weak teams want to be protected from competition to the detriment of consumers and an additional team would compete for prize money and sponsorships.”
VIA: [motorsport.com]
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