Senators call on Justice Department and FTC to investigate Formula 1 for rejecting Andretti Global

WASHINGTON — A bipartisan group of influential senators is calling on the Biden administration to investigate Formula 1 over its decision to reject Andretti Global from racing on the grid in the coming years, suggesting the sport may be violating American antitrust lawas it grows its U.S. fanbase.

They made the request in a letter sent Tuesday and viewed by NBC News, which was led by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., the chair of the Judiciary subcommittee on antitrust, and joined by the panel’s ranking member, Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah.

The letter is addressed to Jonathan Kanter, the assistant attorney general for the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division, and Lina Khan, the chair of the Federal Trade Commission — two entities that share enforcement of antitrust law.

It’s co-signed by Democratic Sens. Gary Peters and Debbie Stabenow of Michigan, whose state is home to General Motors, which has partnered with Andretti Global to build its engines. It’s also signed by Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., who represents the state where Andretti is based, and Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif.

The six senators said they are “concerned” that F1 may be acting on behalf of other teams, “including foreign automakers,” to deny Andretti's bid to enter the sport in 2025 or 2026 even though its governing body, the FIA, approved its application. Formula 1 management, the commercial side of the sport, rejected its bid in January, doubting the team would be competitive or increase the value of the championship.

"It is possible that such a refusal to deal—especially if orchestrated through a group boycott—could violate U.S. antitrust laws,” the senators wrote.

“Last year, F1 hosted three races in America, in Miami, Las Vegas, and Austin, while no other country