Breaking news
Formula 1
F1 facing EU investigation after Sauber, Force India complaint
Formula 1's governance structure and prize money system is set to be investigated by the European Union, after Sauber and Force India lodged an official complaint on anti-competition grounds.
Jonathan Noble
Edited: Sep 29, 2015, 8:02 AM
Copy link
Share on Viber
Following months of speculation that teams could go to the EU over their belief F1 was being run like a cartel, the two outfits have gone ahead and registered their unhappiness.
The move is believed to be aimed at several key issues, including that only the big teams have a say in F1's Strategy Group and that the prize money structure is weighted heavily in favour of the front-running outfits.
A statement from Force India said: "Sahara Force India is one of two teams to have registered a complaint with the European Union questioning the governance of Formula 1 and showing that the system of dividing revenues and determining how Formula 1's rules are set is both unfair and unlawful.
"Due to the ongoing legal discussions, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."
EU could force change
If the EU decides that Force India and Sauber's complaints are justified then it could intervene and force changes in the sport.
That could have dramatic implications for its owners as well as all teams.
A few months ago, Labour MEP Anneliese Dodds, who herself wrote to European competition commissioner Margrethe Vestager last year, said that it was up to the teams to force an EU investigation.
"Ever since the collapse of Marussia and Caterham last year, I have had real concerns about the way things are going with Formula 1," she said.
"This doesn't just mean two fewer teams taking part in races throughout the season; it means hundreds of highly skilled people in my constituency losing their jobs and their livelihoods.
"That's why I've raised this issue a number of times in Brussels, to see if there is a competition case to answer here.
"The Commissioner in charge has made it clear to me that she can't do anything until the teams themselves submit a formal complaint, and so if that's what the teams feel is right then that is what they should do."
We want your opinion!
What would you like to see on Motorsport.com?
Take our 5 minute survey.
- The Motorsport.com Team
Read and post comments
Read also :
Share Or Save This Story
Copy link
Share on Viber
Previous article Raikkonen: Ferrari surprised by form
Next article Mercedes still fears repeat of Singapore nightmare
Top Comments
There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?
View More & Comment
More from
Jonathan Noble
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
Formula 1
Formula 1
Brundle awarded OBE in King’s New Year’s honours
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Formula 1
Formula 1
The new rules dilemma that will define the 2025 F1 season
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
Formula 1
Formula 1
Australian GP
Verstappen issues Red Bull title warning in push for RB21 progress
More from
Sauber
Sebastian Vettel reveals why BMW didn't want him – but Red Bull did
Formula 1
Formula 1
Sebastian Vettel reveals why BMW didn't want him – but Red Bull did
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
Formula 1
You Ask The Questions: Robert Kubica
Lewis Hamilton 'almost signed for Sauber' before F1 debut, says Peter Sauber
Formula 1
Formula 1
Barcelona-Catalunya Pre-Season Testing
Lewis Hamilton 'almost signed for Sauber' before F1 debut, says Peter Sauber
Latest news
LIVE: F1 Brazilian GP - Kimi Antonelli survives pre-race off
Formula 1
F1 Formula 1
Sao Paulo GP
29 min
LIVE: F1 Brazilian GP - Kimi Antonelli survives pre-race off
WEC Monza: Cadillac wins chaotic finale, #8 Toyota seals drivers’ title
WEC
WEC WEC
Monza
37 min
WEC Monza: Cadillac wins chaotic finale, #8 Toyota seals drivers’ title
Justin Allgaier is a Hall of Fame asset, nearing a Hall of Fame resume
NASCAR O'Reilly
NOAP NASCAR O'Reilly
Homestead-Miami
52 min
Justin Allgaier is a Hall of Fame asset, nearing a Hall of Fame resume
LIVE: MotoGP Qatar GP: Commentary and updates
MotoGP
MGP MotoGP
Qatar GP
1 h
LIVE: MotoGP Qatar GP: Commentary and updates
Feature
Discover prime content
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Formula 1
By Pat Symonds
How F1’s rules got to be so complex
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
You have 2 options:
- Become a subscriber.
- Disable your adblocker.
Subscribe now Already subscribed? Sign in here
Already disabled your adblocker?
Reload page
Manage Alerts
Subscribe