European investigation into F1 unlikely - source

F1 teams must lodge a formal complaint or the European Commission will not launch an investigation into the sport.

That is the claim of F1 business journalist Christian Sylt, following reported concerns about the fairness of the income distribution to the smaller teams, and their lack of representation in the powerful Strategy Group.

Concerns had also been raised about the FIA’s exchange of decision-making power for a 1 per cent shareholding in the sport’s commercial rights.

But Sylt and fellow journalist Kate Hewitt wrote in the Sunday Express: "A source close to the European Parliament said Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager has told the teams that unless they make a formal complaint, she cannot investigate."

Sources in Brussels reportedly said teams "are considering their next course of action".

And a source told us: "They (the teams) aren’t ones for rocking the boat so I guess that puts an end to it!"