Force India, Sauber withdraw EU complaint against F1
Force India and Sauber have dropped the complaint they made to the European Union Competitions Commission regarding Formula 1's governance and payment structure.
The two teams lodged an official complaint with the Commission in September 2015, citing the division of revenues and drawing up of rules as "unfair and unlawful".
Ferrari, Red Bull, Mercedes, McLaren and Williams currently receive favourable financial payments from F1 in addition to the evenly-distributed funds earned from the constructors' championship.
The pursuit from Force India and Sauber was taken on by a newly-created department within the Commission in April 2016 and though the case remained open it was progressing slowly through the system.
Since then, F1 has been taken over by a new commercial rights holder, with Liberty Media succeeding CVC and throughout 2017, Liberty's first season in charge, there was significant talk about creating a fairer playing field.
In a joint release, the two teams confirmed they had thus "decided to withdraw the complaint we lodged with the European Commission in 2015 on the subject of anti-competitive practices in the sport of Formula 1".
It continued: "We have been greatly encouraged by the dialogue that has been introduced following the appointment of Chase Carey as executive chairman and CEO of the Formula 1 commercial rights holder and his new management team.
"Their approach has brought a new culture of transparency to the sport and illustrates willingness to debate fundamental issues such as the distribution of the prize fund monies, cost control and engine regulations.
"We are encouraged and reassured by the even-handed and fair negotiating approach taken by the new management of Formula 1 to all the teams and their issues.
"While the concerns leading to the compliant were fully justified, we believe this new approach provides the necessary degree of assurance that our concerns will be looked at objectively, and we prefer to resolve the issues facing the sport through dialogue rather than a legal dispute.
"We want to support this transformational process in Formula 1 and thus have resolved to withdraw our complaint with immediate effect."
Share Or Save This Story
Alfa Romeo must do better in "chaotic" races - Vasseur
Honda: Verstappen relationship 'like a young Senna'
Key team personnel shouldn't be F1 boss - Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton 'almost signed for Sauber' before F1 debut, says Peter Sauber
F1 2025 season highlights: Fans crown Nico Hulkenberg's podium and Lando Norris's title as top moments
F1 2025 recap: Gabriel Bortoleto justified Sauber’s faith in him
Judge sets trial date in Joe Gibbs Racing, Chris Gabehart, Spire lawsuit
Travis Pastrana to run NASCAR Truck race at Charlotte with Ram
Graham Rahal “not a fan” of new rule allowing push-to-pass on restarts
NASCAR will use tire packs to enforce new track limits at Watkins Glen
'Antonelli and Sinner, Sinner and Antonelli' - Italy should handle its latest sporting hero with care
The intrigue sparked by Red Bull's Miami sidepod design
Where will ‘yo-yo’ F1 racing return?
Exclusive: The story behind Red Bull and Max Verstappen's F1 turnaround in Miami
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.
Top Comments