EU delivers decision in F1 ‘cartel’ investigation
The European Commission says it “cannot assess” whether Formula 1
has barriers to entry that are in breach of anti-competitive laws.
In October, Christine Anderson MEP tabled a written question to the
executive branch of the EU, asking whether F1’s approach in denying
Andretti a spot on the grid, for 2026 at least, could be in breach
of Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.
Anderson claimed F1’s owners Liberty Media and the existing teams
were acting as a “de facto cartel” in not allowing further
competition in the form of Andretti. Similar investigations are
underway into the denial of Andretti’s F1 bid by the US Senate and
House of Representatives, although the door to Andretti remains
open for 2028 if engine partner General Motors can provide a
functioning power unit. Responding to Anderson’s question, the
executive vice president of the European Commission, Margrethe
Vestager, who also serves as competition and internal market
commissioner, explained how the investigation could not continue.
“Based on the limited information available to the Commission on
the topic of alleged barriers to entry to Formula 1 for new teams,
the Commission cannot assess whether such barriers to entry are the
result of anticompetitive conduct in breach of Article 101 and/or
Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU,” Vestager
wrote. “As such, the Commission is currently not considering any
measures, nor is it planning to investigate the impact of the
alleged barriers on innovation, jobs and the competitiveness of the
motorsport and automotive sector in the EU. “However, the
Commission stands ready to review any evidence of anticompetitive
conduct that interested parties may bring to its attention.”
has barriers to entry that are in breach of anti-competitive laws.
In October, Christine Anderson MEP tabled a written question to the
executive branch of the EU, asking whether F1’s approach in denying
Andretti a spot on the grid, for 2026 at least, could be in breach
of Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.
Anderson claimed F1’s owners Liberty Media and the existing teams
were acting as a “de facto cartel” in not allowing further
competition in the form of Andretti. Similar investigations are
underway into the denial of Andretti’s F1 bid by the US Senate and
House of Representatives, although the door to Andretti remains
open for 2028 if engine partner General Motors can provide a
functioning power unit. Responding to Anderson’s question, the
executive vice president of the European Commission, Margrethe
Vestager, who also serves as competition and internal market
commissioner, explained how the investigation could not continue.
“Based on the limited information available to the Commission on
the topic of alleged barriers to entry to Formula 1 for new teams,
the Commission cannot assess whether such barriers to entry are the
result of anticompetitive conduct in breach of Article 101 and/or
Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU,” Vestager
wrote. “As such, the Commission is currently not considering any
measures, nor is it planning to investigate the impact of the
alleged barriers on innovation, jobs and the competitiveness of the
motorsport and automotive sector in the EU. “However, the
Commission stands ready to review any evidence of anticompetitive
conduct that interested parties may bring to its attention.”
Jake Nichol
Go to seatrade maritime