EU antitrust has doubts about F1 and MotoGP together: second investigation underway

The date to mark on your calendar is December 19; that's the day the European Commission will rule on Liberty Media's acquisition of 86 percent of Dorna. Vulgarly speaking, Formula 1 is buying MotoGP, but to do so it needs the green light from the European Union's antitrust authority.

According to Bloomberg News reports, Teresa Ribeira, the new antitrust chief, fears that this merger could stifle competition in the broadcasting and streaming sectors if the two major motor sports end up under the same umbrella. For this reason, a second phase of the investigation is being prepared. The site says that, at the moment, the final decision is only a draft and it is not ruled out that it could be modified.

In other words, it is not yet certain that the antitrust will give the green light to the acquisition. The deal had been announced in April: Liberty Media is expected to acquire 86 percent of the shares (worth about 3.5 billion euros), while Dorna will retain the remaining 14 percent.

Pending the antitrust decision, the company announced a month ago that it would spin off its subsidiary Quint from Formula One Group to Liberty Live Group. Quint had been acquired earlier this year and is involved in organizing premium experiences in sports and entertainment.