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Apr.28 (GMM) The European Union is "monitoring" the controversial new system of decision-making within Formula One, it has emerged.

Earlier this month, we reported that F1's four smallest teams - Marussia, Caterham, Force India and Sauber - had written a letter complaining about the new and rule-influential Strategy Group.

The Group is made up of the grid's powerful 'big five' teams and, for historic reasons, Williams, who recently vetoed FIA president Jean Todt's plans for a 2015 budget cap.

Force India deputy Bob Fernley told the Guardian that the big teams also receive the lion's share of the commercial revenue distributed by Bernie Ecclestone.

"We have a situation where we have enriched and empowered five teams and disenfranchised six," he said.

Germany's Sport Bild suggested that the letter, described as "explosive" by one team insider, made clear the small teams' belief that the Strategy Group could be contrary to European competition law.

Now, the London newspaper The Times claims that European Union officials, specifically the competition authority, are "monitoring" the situation.

"A full (EU) investigation would throw F1 into turmoil, potentially wrecking agreements and finishing any prospect that the sport could be floated on the Singapore Stock Exchange", correspondent Kevin Eason said.

Eason revealed that "two people close to the sport" have already been interviewed by European officials, who are "said to be showing concern".

They are reportedly also concerned about the FIA's current role, after a previous EU investigation ruled that the governing body not be involved in F1's commercial matters.

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European Union could investigate F1 group - report

What the European Union needs is someone like John Jay.

Appealing in 1787 for the ratification of the U.S. constitution, the American founding father said a cordial Union, under an efficient national government would provide the best security that can be devised against hostilities from abroad.

From Ukraines upheaval and the renewed Russian menace to Syrias civil war and chaotic post-revolutionary Libya, todays EU confronts no shortage of external dangers. But instead of knitting the blocs 28 countries together, the threats have exposed what is keeping them apart.

The EU is internally divided about the right answer, said Jan Marinus Wiersma, a former Dutch member of the European Parliament who is now with the Clingendael Institute in The Hague. As long as there is no common direction in how to react to Russias ambitions, we will keep a divided Europe.

Throughout history, perils from abroad have been spurs to unity. Continued British animosity after the American revolution led to the setup of the U.S. federal government; the consolidation of federal power after the U.S. Civil War was one of the factors that led Britain to turn its Canadian colonies into a confederation. Switzerland evolved out of a medieval alliance to defend Alpine trade routes.

A European Union (EU) flag, left, and a Ukraine national flag hang from the windscreen of a taxi on the outskirts of Kiev. The EU confronts no shortage of external dangers, including Ukraines upheaval, but instead of knitting the blocs 28 countries together, the threats have exposed what is keeping them apart. Close

A European Union (EU) flag, left, and a Ukraine national flag hang from the windscreen... Read More

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A European Union (EU) flag, left, and a Ukraine national flag hang from the windscreen of a taxi on the outskirts of Kiev. The EU confronts no shortage of external dangers, including Ukraines upheaval, but instead of knitting the blocs 28 countries together, the threats have exposed what is keeping them apart.

The modern-day EU has taken a different path, and hasnt gotten as far. Post-World War II western Europe relied on the U.S. for defense, allowing it to stitch together a market that culminated with the creation of the euro currency in 1999. The result is a loose federation with limited authority in Brussels and most power residing in national capitals such as Berlin, Paris and London.

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No John Jay in Europe as Russia to Syria Sow Divisions

Britain The EU: In or Out
Britain is to have an in-out referendum on the European Union in 2017 if a Conservative government is re-elected. Nathan Genese travelled to Brussels to find out what benefits there are to...

By: Nathan Genese

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Britain & The EU: In or Out - Video

Joo Vale De Almeida - WVU College of Business Economics Speakers Series
Joo Vale De Almeida, Ambassador of the European Union to the United States of America, speaks to students from WVU #39;s College of Business Economics about the European Union. The talk is...

By: WVU CoBE

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Joo Vale De Almeida - WVU College of Business & Economics Speakers Series - Video

The European Union honcho says that the time has come to "say yes to protection but no to protectionism."

Edward Snowden The Guardian/YouTube screenshot by Chris Matyszczyk/CNET

Neelie Kroes, vice president of the European Commission, reflected on Edward Snowden's leaks on Monday at the CeBit Global Conference, saying that the world should learn from them.

"Snowden gave us a wake-up call," she said, according to Recode. "Let's not snooze through it."

Kroes spent her time at CeBit discussing the reality that cyberwarfare and spying are a part of the digital world. She cautioned, however, that it's time for the world to determine how to find a proper balance between data-gathering and protecting privacy.

"Say yes to protection but no to protectionism," Kroes reportedly said.

Snowden's leaks unleashed a firestorm of controversy across the world after it was revealed that the US has apparently been engaging in far-reaching digital espionage. Some countries around the world have condemned the practices, and privacy advocates have taken issue with them. At the same time, the leaks have shed light on privacy and what can be done to limit government oversight.

For her part, Kroes didn't offer any solutions, but did say that "building walls is no answer to our problem."

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EU's Neelie Kroes: 'Snowden gave us a wake-up call'