It may be weeks or months before the European Commission decides whether or not to investigate formula one.
The anti-competitive arm of the executive body has confirmed it recently received the formal complaint lodged by disgruntled midfield teams Sauber and Force India.
But Germany's Auto Motor und Sport reports that the EC will now be waiting for the other side of the argument - namely, Bernie Ecclestone and F1 owners CVC - to submit their own documents.
"If everything goes well," explained Force India deputy Bob Fernley, "we could get an answer by Christmas.
"Otherwise, I think it will be no later than the 2016 pre-season before we know" if there will be an investigation, he added.
Fernley said that if the Commission simply rules that an investigation is justified, Force India and Sauber will be halfway to ending the alleged injustices governing F1 today -- perhaps by Ecclestone electing to broker a compromise.
"Experience shows us that people like to avoid a lengthy investigation," he said, "because it interferes with business."
And the pot of gold for the struggling midfield teams would be if the so-called 'privileged teams' are forced to pay back the disputed bonus payments, triggering a redistribution to the tune of many millions of euros.
Fernley argues: "Whatever is wrong now and in the future was also wrong in the past."
Force India waiting for F1 investigation 'answer'
- Published on 21 Oct 2015 15:15
-
0
- By: Kees Schooneman
Trending news
-
Hadjar sees only positives for Red Bull ahead of MonacoIsack Hadjar believes Red Bull Racing has finally identified the performance window it needs to challenge for victori...
29 May 2026 17:38 -
Why Fittipaldi believes Russell has already given up on 2026George Russell has drawn sharp criticism from former Formula 1 driver Christian Fittipaldi after appearing to concede...
29 May 2026 16:36 -
Why McLaren insists Lambiase is not being groomed as Stella's successorMcLaren team principal Andrea Stella has dismissed speculation that Gianpiero Lambiase is being groomed to succeed hi...
29 May 2026 15:33 -
Why Steiner calls Wolff his 'rockstar' of the Canadian GPGuenther Steiner has singled out Toto Wolff for praise after the Mercedes team principal allowed Kimi Antonelli and G...
29 May 2026 14:31 -
Why Martin Brundle defended Russell's angry headrest throwMartin Brundle has defended George Russell following the Mercedes driver's angry reaction to his retirement at th...
29 May 2026 13:29
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Local time
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
-
Friday
-
Saturday
-
Sunday
Test calendar
Circuit de Catalunya - Winter testing
-
Jan 26
I. Hadjar
- 1:18.159
-
-
-
Jan 27
M. Verstappen
- 1:19.578
-
-
-
Jan 28
A. Antonelli
- 1:17.362
-
-
-
Jan 29
G. Russell
- 1:16.445
-
-
-
Jan 30
L. Hamilton
- 1:16.348
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 11
L. Norris
- 1:34.669
-
-
-
Feb 12
C. Leclerc
- 1:34.273
-
-
-
Feb 13
A. Antonelli
- 1:33.669
-
-
Bahrain International Circuit - Winter testing
-
Feb 18
G. Russell
- 1:33.459
-
-
Feb 19
A. Antonelli
- 1:32.803
-
-
Feb 20
C. Leclerc
- 1:31.992
-
-
World Championship standings 2026
Related news
Give your opinion!
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Spain
Bahrain
Bahrain
Formula 1 Calendar - 2026
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Australia
Albert Park
Japan
Circuit Suzuka
Bahrain
Bahrain International Circuit
Saudi Arabia
Jeddah Street Circuit
United States of America
Miami International Autodrome
Canada
Gilles Villeneuve
Monaco
Monte Carlo
Spain
Circuit de Catalunya
Team profile
- Team name Sauber
- Base - Switzerland
- Gabriel Bortoleto
- Kimi Räikkönen 7
- Felipe Massa 8
- Marcus Ericsson 9
- Nico Hülkenberg 11
- Felipe Nasr 12
- Esteban Gutierrez 12
- Felipe Massa 12
- Felipe Massa 12
- Kamui Kobayashi 14
- Sergio Perez 15
- Charles Leclerc 16
- Kamui Kobayashi 16
- Sergio Perez 17
- Kimi Räikkönen 17
- Esteban Gutierrez 21
- Kamui Kobayashi 23
- Guanyu Zhou 24
- Nico Hülkenberg 27
- Antonio Giovinazzi 36
- Valtteri Bottas 77
- Pascal Wehrlein 94
- Adrian Sutil 99
- 115,816 comments on Sauber
5 members have this team as their favourite
Tweets about Sauber
Replies (0)
Login to reply