The possibility of Andretti-Cadillac joining the Formula 1 grid appears to be alive, thanks to mounting pressure from U.S. legal authorities.
After Liberty Media, which owns Formula 1, shut down Andretti's FIA-sanctioned bid to become the sport's eleventh team, the U.S. government began investigating potential anti-competitive practices.
According to journalist Ralf Bach of f1-insider.com, four prominent F1 leaders—Mercedes' Toto Wolff, Aston Martin's Lawrence Stroll, Red Bull's Christian Horner, and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali—are now central figures in the U.S. inquiry. "All four arrived at the US GP in Austin with their own lawyers," Bach reported, noting that officials from the U.S. Justice Department were on-site at the Texas event earlier this month.
He added that these officials are requiring the individuals to participate in video interviews soon, with serious warnings about the consequences of false statements. "There is apparently evidence in the form of a WhatsApp group that proves the illegal agreement" to exclude Andretti from F1 for financial reasons, Bach claimed.
Meanwhile, Domenicali's contract renewal discussions have reportedly hit "a standstill" amid these escalating tensions, according to Eurosport Italia. Furthermore, European authorities are now exploring whether Liberty Media's conduct breaches EU competition laws.
Belgian politician Pascal Arimont has pushed for the European Commission to "protect consumers and ensure fair competition," a call echoed by European parliamentarian Christine Anderson, who questioned the "fundamental conflict of interest" if Andretti's rejection is upheld.
Anderson noted that collusion between F1 and existing teams to exclude Andretti "could significantly distort competition in the European motorsport industry." This scrutiny from both the U.S. and European governments could shift the tides in Andretti's favor.
Notably, Michael Andretti recently stepped back from day-to-day operations of Andretti Global, potentially a strategic move to ease a path into Formula 1.
Bach believes that John Malone, Liberty Media's owner, is now seeking to "limit the damage" caused by the Andretti rejection. He suggests that allowing Andretti to enter the sport may "appease the notoriously uncompromising investigators from the Justice Department."
Bach also speculates that the recent resignation of Liberty Media's lead F1 lawyer, Sacha Woodward Hill, could be connected to the Andretti situation, labeling her as a potential "scapegoat" in the controversy.
