European Commission ’looking into’ F1

The European Commission (EC) is now looking into potential anti-competition breaches within formula one, according to international media reports.

Following British politician Anneliese Dodds’ recent letter, Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport said she met this week in Strasbourg with the EC’s competition commissioner to "exchange ideas".

Dodds’ letter had raised concerns not only about the inequitable distribution of power and wealth among F1’s biggest teams, but also the regulatory body FIA having taken a 1.06 per cent stake in the sport’s commercial rights.

After the Strasbourg meeting, a source close to the situation told F1 business journalist Christian Sylt: "She (Dodds) was encouraged to see that the commissioner was taking an interest in the issue and had promised to look into it in more detail.

"The commissioner has said that she will write back formally to Anneliese’s letter spelling out exactly what the commission’s view is on this," the source is quoted by Forbes.

An EC spokesperson confirmed it had received Dodds’ letter.