EU Gives All-Clear to Formula One

The European Commission gave motor racing's governing body and Formula One the all-clear on Friday after checking for conflicts of interest for the last two years.

Competition regulators at the European Union's executive dropped a probe into Formula One in 2001 after the International Automobile Federation agreed to rule changes to make it easier for carmakers and race track owners to participate in alternative competitions.

But as part of the deal the Commission said it would check that the FIA kept its promises.

"The Commission is satisfied that the conflict of interests identified in the FIA regulations and the restrictions that had been put on circuit owners, F1 teams and TV broadcasters have been ended," the EU regulator said in a statement.

In the 2001 settlement the FIA agreed to limit its role to that of the sport's regulator and to loosen ties with the Formula One Association, which organises races.

The FIA had done this and the Formula One Association had complied with requirements to free up television broadcasting rights, the Commission said.