DOJ launches investigation into Liberty Media over Formula 1-Andretti conflict

The United States Department of Justice has opened an antitrust investigation against Liberty Media, the American company that owns the commercial rights to Formula One, for refusing to allow the American racing team Andretti Global to enter the sport.

At least that is what Liberty Media says, which informed investors about the investigation in an official form.

Liberty Media said in the filing that it had “received notification from the Department of Justice, Antitrust Division, that an investigation has been initiated into Formula One’s conduct regarding Andretti Formula Racing’s application to enter the FIA ​​Formula One World Championship.”

Liberty Media President and CEO Greg Maffei also addressed the issue during an earnings conference call Thursday morning.

“We intend to cooperate fully with this investigation, including any related information requests. We believe that our determination or F1’s determination complied with all applicable U.S. antitrust laws,” Maffei said on the call.

“And we have explained that decision in detail in relation to Andretti in previous statements. We are certainly not opposed to the idea that any expansion is bad,” he said. “There is a methodology for expansion that requires approval from the FIA ​​and F1, and both groups have to meet the criteria. And we are certainly open to new entrants applying and potentially getting approval if those requirements are met.”

The Justice Department declined to comment.

The investigation was requested in May by a group of senators led by Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar, who said she was “concerned” that Formula One may be violating U.S. antitrust law by helping largely European rival teams, “including foreign automakers,” block competition from Andretti Global, which has teamed up with GM and Michigan-based Cadillac to build its powertrain.

The story: Late last year, F1’s governing body, the FIA, approved Andretti’s application to join the sport, saying he met the “strict criteria” required of a new team. However, F1’s commercial arm, owned by Liberty Media, blocked him in January, saying it did not believe the team would be competitive or add value to the F1 championship in 2025 or 2026.

Andretti Global declined to comment.

The team is seeking entry into F1 under the chairmanship of Michael Andretti. His father, Mario Andretti, the patriarch of the racing dynasty, has been outspoken in his criticism of the decision, even accusing Liberty Media of taking it personally, a claim the company denies.

The growing fan base of F1 and the potential for the American automaker to compete in the popular sport have piqued the interest of members of Congress in recent months. Six senators told the Justice Department in May that they “have serious concerns that the rejection of Team Andretti-Cadillac was based on a desire to exclude a rival from the racetrack, marketing opportunities and prestige that competing in F1 could bring to an automaker competing for car sales around the world.”

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com