Just a few days after Mario Andretti went to Capitol Hill, Republican Jim Jordan wrote a letter to the owners of Formula 1 asking why they said no to Andretti’s dream.
NBC, a TV and radio network, got the letter from Jordan. He asked for papers and details about why Formula 1 didn’t let Andretti race.
Jordan wrote, “I’m in charge of looking into if laws about fair competition are good enough. Sports leagues like Formula 1 need to work together to make their events. But if they break their own rules and hurt competition, that’s not okay.”
Jordan didn’t believe some of the reasons Formula 1 gave for saying no to Andretti back in January.
He said, “The reasons Formula 1 gave for saying no to Andretti’s team seem made up and not fair. Formula 1 said Andretti’s team needed to win races to be worth it. But most teams in Formula 1 don’t win races regularly.”
Jordan also didn’t like how Formula 1 talked about Andretti wanting to use an engine made by someone else.
He said, “Formula 1 said it wouldn’t be good for them if Andretti used an engine from another company. But then they said if Andretti used a new engine from General Motors, it would be hard. They can’t have it both ways.”
Jordan also thought that Formula 1 might be trying to keep new teams out to help the ones already there.
He said, “If Formula 1 doesn’t want new teams because they’re afraid they’ll lose money, that’s not fair to fans. If Formula 1 has to hurt fans to help failing teams, maybe Formula 1 isn’t working right.”
Jordan wants Formula 1 to give him all the papers and emails about Andretti’s bid and the decision to say no. He also wants to talk to Formula 1’s staff about what happened. He wants all this done by May 21.
Last week, some other Congress members wrote to Formula 1 asking questions too.
Mario Andretti said, “We did everything they asked. I represented the US proudly in F1. My best moments were standing on the podium with the US anthem playing.”
