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."