F1 edging towards European investigation

Formula 1 has taken another step towards being investigated by the European Commission.

Last month, it emerged that despite small teams’ concerns about the fairness of the income distribution model and the Strategy Group, Europe’s competition commissioner will not investigate unless a formal complaint is lodged.

The Financial Times reported at the time that small teams – presumably Force India, Sauber and Lotus – were considering the option of complaining.

The European politician reportedly pushing hardest for a complaint to be made is Anneliese Dodds, who presides over the area in southeast England that housed Marussia and Caterham, the two F1 teams that collapsed last year.

And now, it emerges that Dodds has paid a visit to Force India’s headquarters at Silverstone.

Insiders consider that Force India, run by its gruff deputy Robert Fernley – often referred to in the paddock as ‘Big bad Bob’ – is perhaps the team most likely to trigger the European investigation.

After her visit to Force India, Dodds said: “Ever since the collapse of Marussia and Caterham, I have had real concerns about the way things are going with formula one.”

She revealed she has raised the issue in Brussels “a number of times” to “see if there is a competition case to answer here.

“The commissioner in charge has made it clear to me that she can’t do anything until the teams themselves submit a formal complaint, and so if that’s what the teams feel is right then that is what they should do,” Dodds added.