The European Commission has stepped back from its involvement in the Andretti-Cadillac Formula 1 entry saga, which remains a hot topic on the other side of the Atlantic.
The United States government is intensifying its probes into why Andretti’s bid, approved by the FIA, was blocked by Formula 1’s commercial rights holder Liberty Media. With FBI officials reportedly attending the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend, the investigations are poised to accelerate.
These inquiries—spanning congressional investigations, senatorial efforts, and an antitrust probe by the Department of Justice—precede the recent decision by Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei to step down. Allegations of collusion involving prominent F1 team bosses have raised the stakes, with many suggesting that Andretti could yet be granted entry into the sport for the 2026 season.
Meanwhile, the European Commission, under Commissioner Margrethe Vestager, has been reviewing the matter. Vestager has now issued a statement clarifying the Commission’s position.
“Based on the limited information available to the Commission regarding the alleged barriers to entry into Formula 1 for new teams, the Commission cannot assess whether these barriers result from anti-competitive behaviour,” she stated, adding that no violation of European laws could be determined.
“Therefore, the Commission does not currently intend to consider any measures or investigate the impact of the alleged barriers on innovation, employment, and competitiveness in the automotive and motorsport sectors within the EU,” Vestager continued.
However, she left the door open for future action, noting: “We remain ready to examine any evidence of anti-competitive conduct that stakeholders may bring to our attention.”
