Bipartisan Lawmakers Question Exclusion of Racing Legend’s Brand From Formula 1

Being part of Formula 1, the lawmakers wrote, ’should be based on merit and not just limited to protecting the current line-up of race teams.’

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car during the Spanish Formula One Grand Prix at the Barcelona Catalunya racetrack in Montmelo, Spain, on June 4, 2023. Joan Monfort/AP Photo

A dozen members of Congress have alleged that Formula 1’s exclusion of a racing brand owned by racing legend Mario Andretti might violate U.S. antitrust law.

Formula One Management (FOM), which is owned by American company Liberty Media, late last year rejected the Andretti application, but “work continues” by the organization to make it happen. Mr. Andretti last month officially opened the factory for his Formula 1 team in England and, along with General Motors officials, met with Formula 1.