The European Commission has ruled that it cannot rule on F1's failure to comply with EU anti-competition laws in the Andretti case, after the American team was refused by Liberty Media and other teams.
Last month, a question was asked by MEP Christine Anderson, who asked whether the refusal to Andretti constituted an infringement of Articles 101 and 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the EU.
Anderson ruled that F1's owners and existing teams were acting like “a cartel” by refusing Andretti, and that competition laws could allow the team to enter Formula 1.
In response to Christine Anderson's written question, Margrethe Vestager, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, explained in her capacity as Commissioner for Competition and Markets that she did not see any infringement of the texts in force.
“Based on the limited information available to it regarding the alleged obstacles to the entry of new teams into Formula 1, the Commission is unable to determine whether these obstacles result from anti-competitive behavior contrary to Article 101 and/or Article 102 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union” Vestager wrote.
“Therefore, the Commission is not currently considering any measures and does not plan to investigate the impact of the alleged barriers on innovation, employment and competitiveness of the motorsport and automotive sector in the However, the Commission is prepared to examine any evidence of anti-competitive behavior that interested parties may bring to its attention.”
Another investigation is underway with the House of Representatives and the Senate in the United States, and this is where salvation for Andretti Global could come from. Indeed, the American clan has shown itself confident in recent days at the idea of finally being able to access the premier category.
