Mario Andretti claims that Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei personally threatened to block Michael Andretti's attempts to enter a new team in Formula 1, despite initial approval from the FIA. The situation has drawn attention from U.S. Congress and Senators, who are calling for an investigation into the exclusion of Andretti Formula Racing from the championship series. However, a source close to Liberty Media disputes Andretti's account, suggesting he approached Maffei first.
Current and former IndyCar drivers criticized Formula One Management (FOM) for rejecting Andretti Cadillac's bid to enter the series, with some calling FOM's decision "despicable and insulting." FOM cited reasons such as not needing an additional team, doubts about Andretti's competitiveness, and lack of brand recognition among fans. The decision sparked backlash from drivers who questioned F1's reluctance to admit an American team, with some labeling the sport as elitist and focused on money. Andretti strongly disagrees with FOM's rejection and plans to continue working on its F1 team.
