The fan base for Formula 1 (F1) in the United States has been rapidly growing, with the Miami Grand Prix attracting the highest-rated F1 race on record with American viewers. However, F1 is facing scrutiny from Congress over its rejection of the Andretti racing team's bid to join the grid. Rep. John James accused F1 of 'cartel-like behavior' and anti-competitive actions, while House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan launched an inquiry into the matter. Sen. Amy Klobuchar also led a group of senators in calling for an investigation into F1 for potential breach of U.S. antitrust law [87092ce1].
The tension between F1 and Congress stems from F1's rejection of Andretti Global's application to become the 11th team in the sport. F1 cited concerns about competitiveness and value as the reasons for the rejection. Mario Andretti, the 1978 F1 world champion, was invited by lawmakers to join them in their efforts. Liberty Media CEO Greg Maffei allegedly told Andretti that he would do everything in his power to prevent his son, Michael Andretti, from entering F1. The pressure from U.S. lawmakers could have legal consequences and reputational damage for F1 [87092ce1].
The rejection of the Andretti racing team's bid comes at a time when F1 is gaining popularity in the U.S. The Miami Grand Prix on ABC attracted the largest live television audience in the United States for Formula 1 racing to-date, with an average of 3.1 million viewers. This surpassed the previous record set by the F1 Sprint on Saturday, which had 946,000 viewers [69f86622].
The Miami Grand Prix was not only a thrilling race but also a star-studded event with celebrities from various fields making appearances on the red carpet. Formula 1 introduced a celebrity runway at the Miami Grand Prix, showcasing famous faces from the world of sport, music, fashion, and more. Among the celebrities in attendance were singer-songwriter Camila Cabello, film and television producer Jerry Bruckheimer, rapper will.i.am, and beauty icon Charlotte Tilbury. Sporting stars such as Indian cricketer Yuvraj Singh and American football player turned broadcaster Darius Butler were also present. The presence of these celebrities added an extra layer of excitement and glamour to the event [69f86622].
In addition to the celebrity appearances, the race itself was filled with excitement. Lando Norris emerged as the winner of his first-ever Formula 1 race in Miami, becoming the 21st British winner in the history of the sport. Max Verstappen, who finished second, praised Norris for his performance and admitted that there was nothing he could do to stop him. The Miami Grand Prix proved to be a memorable race for both the drivers and the fans [69f86622].
The article also mentions that the F1 ACADEMY docuseries will be available on Netflix in 2025. This docuseries will provide an in-depth look into the world of Formula 1 and offer fans a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the lives of the drivers, teams, and the overall F1 experience [69f86622].
Pierre Casiraghi, a member of Monaco's royal family and eighth in line to the Monegasque throne, revealed in an interview that he flipped his Fiat 500 while driving around the streets of Monte Carlo, mimicking the circuit used in the Monaco Grand Prix. Casiraghi, 36, named the Fiat 500 as one of his favorite cars because it handles like a race car even at low speeds. He admitted that he flipped the car while taking a curve at full speed but emphasized that he was driving within the speed limits of the town. Casiraghi owns three Fiat 500s and enjoys driving them at low speeds because they are fun [704a689f].
The Miami Grand Prix has become an annual fixture for the rich and famous, attracting celebrities and sports stars. The event took place a day before the Formula 1 Grand Prix in Miami and aimed to boost the sport's popularity in the US. The Hard Rock beach club hosted a three-day bash with performances by Ed Sheeran and DJ Steve Aoki, where menu prices were exorbitant. The F1 event in Miami also saw the attendance of sport stars Patrick Mahomes and LeBron James, and rapper will.i.am [cfccfef0].
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