T𓃲he chairman of the United States’ House Judiciary Committee has launched a probe into F1’s decision to deny Andretti a spot on the grid.

A⛄merican television and radio ☂network from Republican Jim Jordan, who has demanded answers for the blocking of Andretti’s bid.

The letter has been sent to Liberty CEO Gr💎eg Maffei and F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

“The Committee on the Judiciary is res🍷ponsible for examining the sufficiency of federal competition laws to protect against monopolies and other unfair restraints on trade,” he wrote.

“Sports leagues, like Formula 1, operate in a notable area of antitrust law in which some degree of c🧸ollusion is necessary for the creation of the product.

“However, when a sports league deviates from its rules and practices in a manner that reducesไ competition and depresses consumer interest in the product, the collusion ꦿmay amount to anti-competitive conduct.”

Jordan made it clear he does not buy some of the explanations that F1 outlined for denying Andretti’s bid for 2026, a decision which was announced i🎐n late January.

“The excuses put forward for denying Andretti Cadillac’s entry appear to be p꧂retextual, arbitrary, and unrelated to Andretti Cadillac’s suitability to compete in Formula 1.

“For example, Formula 1 alleged that a new team could only add value to For🦂mula 1 by 'competing for podiums and race wins.’

"However, the FIA had already analysed—and approved of—the technical capabilities of Andretti Cadilac🐼 to compete among current teams, and most current teams in Formula 1 do not meet Formula 1’s standard of regularly competing for 'podiums and ra𒁃ce wins’.

“Formula 1 also faulted Andretti Cadillac for attempting to use an existing engine manufacturer because it could 'be damaging to the prestige and standing⛦ of' Formula 1. At the same time, however, Formula 1 stated that if Andretti Cadillac used a new engine manufactured by General Motors in the team’s first year, a new engine would create a challenge for the new te꧃am.

“Formula 1 cannot have it both ways. The truth, as FIA President Muhamed Ben Sulayem explained, is that the rejection of Andretti Caꦕdillac is 'all about money.’"

Speaking to🌠 RACER at the Miami Grand Prix, Michael Andretti insisted the operation remains optimistic about their F1 plans following a meeting with FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

“There’s a lot of building going on there, there’s a lot of building going on at General Motors, and also a lot of building💎 in our Fishers headquarters, so thereཧ’s a lot of work happening,” Andretti said.

“It’s a risk, for sure, but I think it shows how much we believe in this. We believe it’s great for Formula 1, we think it would be g🅺reat for American fans, and to bring a company like General Motors into Formula 1 I think is huge. We believe in it that much that we’re willing to roll the dice.”

Speaking on the grid in Miami, 1978 world champion Mario Andretti told Sky Sports F1's Martin Brundle: "We'ඣre working every day. 

"We're ready to meet whatever challenge there is, just tell us what and we're in. We're preparing in every possi🐈ble way ♈and our intention is to be on the grid in 2026."