F1 | Sensational: illegal agreements emerge for Andretti's exit, involving Domenicali and the teams
Investigation finds WhatsApp group between Formula 1 CEO and team bosses
Earthquake in Formula 1 after the recent indiscretions leaked by Ralf Bach, well-known signature of F1 Insider, on the case of Michael Andretti. As you well know, Andretti and Cadillac had obtained the green light from the FIA to participate in the Formula 1 World Championship but all of a sudden, Liberty Media opposed, justifying that the reason had purely commercial reasons. But this did not convince the Andrettis, in fact Mario, world champion 1978, had spoken of a meeting that took place during the Miami Grand Prix with Stefano Domenicali but that would have been interrupted by Greg Maffei (president and CEO of Liberty Media) who would have even sworn to do everything to prevent the arrival of his son Michael in F1. Months later, Andretti announced that he had sold the majority share of Andretti Global to partner Dan Towriss. A step backwards incomprehensible to many, or perhaps not.
In fact, in August, the U.S. Department of Justice began an antitrust investigation into the handling of Andretti's application to enter Formula One.
“It is said that Michael Andretti, who is well connected, especially among the Republicans, did everything to resolve the whole affair politically,” says Ralf Bach.
And from here comes a real bombshell that, if confirmed, would have no small consequences for the upper echelons of Formula 1.
“We have learned that the American investigation has found evidence, including a WhatsApp group with Stefano Domenicali and some current team principals, demonstrating the presence of illegal agreements to prevent Andretti from entering Formula 1, despite having met all the necessary criteria.”
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