Teams Alfa Romeo Sauber F1 Team and Sahara Force India F1 Team have withdrawn the complaint they made to the EU about unfair and anti-competitive practices in Formula One. Both teams have decided not to go on with the complaint because of F1’s new owners.
In September 2015, Sauber and Force India lodged a complaint to the EU about some anti-competitive practices. They complained about the revenue dividing system, which was, as Force India said back at that time, “unlawful and unfair.” As for Sauber, they said that they had made the complaint “for violation of European Competition Law challenging the rule making powers and privileges, which are harming the sport”.
More than two years later, both teams have decided and announced that they are to withdraw that complaint with immediate effect. The main reasons they cited for this withdrawal are the changes in F1 ownership that have happened on the last year.
Both Sauber and Force India have released a joint communicate about the decision and the reasons of the withdrawal: “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.”
“In wanting to support this transformational process in Formula 1, Force India and Sauber have thus resolved to withdraw their EU complaint with immediate effect.”