30 September,2015 08:20 AM IST | | PA Sport
Formula One faces a possible investigation by the European Union after both Force India and Sauber lodged official complaints into how the sport is governed
Force India's Nico Hulkenberg during qualifying for the Formula One Grand Prix of Japan in Suzuka last week
London: Formula One faces a possible investigation by the European Union after both Force India and Sauber lodged official complaints into how the sport is governed.
Force India's Nico Hulkenberg during qualifying for the Formula One Grand Prix of Japan in Suzuka last week. Pic/Getty Images
The two teams are unhappy with how prize money is distributed and believe it to be skewed in favour of the sport's most-established teams. Both are also reportedly unhappy not to be included in the rule-making F1 strategy group which consists of Mercedes, McLaren, Ferrari, Red Bull and Williams, as well as Bernie Ecclestone, the sport's commercial rightsholder and FIA president Jean Todt.
A team statement released by Force India yesterday morning read: "Sahara Force India is one of two teams to have registered a complaint with the European Union questioning the governance of Formula One and showing that the system of dividing revenues and determining how Formula One's rules are set is both unfair and unlawful. "Due to the ongoing legal discussions, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time."
Force India are fifth in the constructors' standings with 77 points while Sauber are eighth with 26 points and both have out-scored McLaren this season. If the European Union take on the case it could change how the sport is governed and the distribution of prize money.
