The European Union is “monitoring” the controversial new system of decision-making within formula one, it has emerged.<\/p>\n
Earlier this month, we reported that F1’s four smallest teams – Marussia, Caterham, Force India and Sauber – had written a letter complaining about the new and rule-influential Strategy Group.<\/p>\n
The Group is made up of the grid’s powerful ‘big five’ teams and, for historic reasons, Williams, who recently vetoed FIA president Jean Todt’s plans for a 2015 budget cap.<\/p>\n
Force India deputy Bob Fernley told the Guardian that the big teams also receive the lion’s share of the commercial revenue distributed by Bernie Ecclestone.<\/p>\n
“We have a situation where we have enriched and empowered five teams and disenfranchised six,” he said.<\/p>\n
Germany’s Sport Bild suggested that the letter, described as “explosive” by one team insider, made clear the small teams’ belief that the Strategy Group could be contrary to European competition law.<\/p>\n
Now, the London newspaper The Times claims that European Union officials, specifically the competition authority, are “monitoring” the situation.<\/p>\n
“A full (EU) investigation would throw F1 into turmoil, potentially wrecking agreements and finishing any prospect that the sport could be floated on the Singapore Stock Exchange”, correspondent Kevin Eason said.<\/p>\n
Eason revealed that “two people close to the sport” have already been interviewed by European officials, who are “said to be showing concern”.<\/p>\n
They are reportedly also concerned about the FIA’s current role, after a previous EU investigation ruled that the governing body not be involved in F1’s commercial matters.<\/p>\n
The Paris-based federation is yet to comment.<\/p>\n
“We simply cannot run a sport like this,” said Fernley, who will be at a crucial meeting involving Todt and Ecclestone in London on Thursday.<\/p>\n
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