A group of lawmakers across the aisle, led by Rep. John James, a Republican from Michigan, are backing racing star and former Formula One world champion Mario Andretti in his fight against the F1 racing series owner Liberty Media.
With the backing of the bipartisan group, Andretti is calling out the racing series owner for pulling out of an agreement. Andretti initially received approval from the race’s governing body, the FIA.
However, Formula One Management (FOM), the race’s commercial rights owner, denied Andretti Global’s entry into the sport. The race claimed that Andretti’s team would not “provide value to the championship.”
Notably, Andretti Global and General Motors formed a partnership to enter into competition to enter the car racing championship. Theirs would have been the only American-built and designed cars in the competition. As a result, the congressmen penned a letter demanding answers.
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In the letter addressed to the company’s president and CEO, Greg Maffei, the representatives expressed concerns about the decision, which could prevent American companies from joining the competition. Furthermore, the letter claimed it was an “unfair” attempt to block American countries from joining the championship.
Before the back-and-forth between Andretti and Formula One became public, questions surrounded Americans’ participation in motor racing sports. As is public knowledge, American-built engines haven’t graced the Formula One tracks yet for various reasons, including financial barriers.
The proposed partnership between the automakers was supposed to create the only American-designed engine in the competition. Hence, the FOM’s decision to deny their entry into the race sparked outrage from all corners, regardless of their party affiliations.
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This is another issue Republicans and Democrats agree on besides the bipartisan Ukraine aid bill. Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, May 1, 2024, the former race champion blasted FOM’s decision and called for his team’s participation.
“We want to represent the United States on a world stage in Formula One,” Andretti said. The former race champion also noted that the companies have done their due diligence and are ready to give it their all. However, they can’t do anything without the support and go-ahead of Liberty Media, the race’s owners.
Similarly, Michigan Rep. James also got a few things off his chest. The Republican lawmaker noted that it’s high time America joined the race. “America demands its due. If you want access to our markets,” Rep. James said. Furthermore, he pointed out the hypocrisy of the race’s leaders.
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Rep. James noted that the race penetrated the American market and audience but did not want Americans to participate in the competition. Notably, the race has gotten a cult following from fans across the US. The game’s fans and audiences have increased over the years in America.
Hence, it’s a wonder why the owners do not want to grant access to American companies and automakers. Despite Andretti’s speech at the May 1 conference, Liberty Media has neither responded nor debunked the claims of discrimination against American automakers.
Since Liberty Media has yet to respond to the demands for answers, it remains unclear whether the partnership between Andretti Global and General Motors will make it to the F1 tracks.
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