Everyone it seems wants a Formula 1 race and this week in the Business of Motorsport Roundup you will find out who the latest countries are that want in. I also have details on why Fox is so happy with their IndyCar investment, the debut of a new Canadian Indycar race as well as the latest motorsport deals and partnerships.
Motorsport Industry News
Formula 1
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has confirmed approaches from three existing venues to be added to the F1 calendar. Portugal, Turkey and Germany, in the form of Hockenheim, have stated they would be interested in returning to the fold.
“There’s Portugal, Turkey, and recently Hockenheim – which has new ownership – has shown interest. The most important thing prospective hosts must understand is that there are very few available slots, so those who sit at the table need financial strength.”
Thailand looked almost a sure bet to join the Formula calendar but recent political developments now make their F1 bid uncertain. The country’s constitutional court has dismissed prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who has played a key role in promoting the race.
The Formula 1 website has published highlights of the 2025 F1 season so far. “With record-breaking attendance, unprecedented digital engagement and a blockbuster film captivating audiences worldwide, Formula 1’s momentum shows no signs of slowing.”
The Formula 1 ecosystem has become a goldmine for investors, with team valuations soaring to unprecedented heights. By 2025, the Aston Martin F1 team is valued at $3.2 billion following a strategic stake sale, while McLaren’s valuation stands at $2.65 billion, and commands $4.78 billion—a testament to the sport’s evolving commercial power and global appeal. These figures, driven by sponsorship deals, brand equity, and Liberty Media’s digital transformation, signal a compelling opportunity for private equity firms seeking long-term value creation in a rapidly appreciating asset class. AI Invest looks into the numbers.
F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali has proposed more sprint races and shorter Grands Prix in order to attract younger audiences with limited attention spans, something that many drivers oppose.” It’s a problem of the society and the kids, but not the sport, so probably it’s not needed to change.”
- Why shorter races, MotoGP-style sprints and reverse grids are all “on the agenda” for F1 (Autospoprt)
- “Problem of society”: F1 drivers debate Domenicali’s plan for shorter races (Autosport)
General Motorsport Industry News
Toronto’s Exhibition Place played home to the CART IndyCar Series, Champ Car, and today’s IndyCar Series since the inaugural race in 1986, and with the need to relocate when the World Cup descends on the region in 2026, Green Savoree Race Promotions, IndyCar and the city of Markham have joined forces to create a brand-new downtown event.
“We looked all around Ontario from Niagara Falls all the way through to Oshawa to Ottawa, you name it, to host this wonderful event,” Jeff Atkinson, president of the Ontario Honda Dealers Indy Markham told CBC Toronto. “It really all came back to Markham. The city was very excited, as were we, to host the event here.”
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has promised an investment into the World Rally Championship following the sale of the series’ commercial rights. Autosport understands that several potential suitors from Europe, America and the Middle East have declared interest in purchasing the WRC Promoter. A number of interested parties have attended events this year.
Tom Howard of Autosport Plus explains why the WRC’s search for new commercial rights holder is so important. “The FIA’s priority is to ensure that the WRC is best placed to maximise on this potential and deliver value to all its stakeholders, including drivers, teams, manufacturers, organisers and fans, while also preserving its strong heritage,” read a statement from the FIA when it announced the tender process.
Grand Prix.com reports that Prince Bernhard van Oranje-Nassau, cousin of King Willem-Alexander and co-owner of Zandvoort, has been approached to become a strategic advisor to Tim Mayer – the American official preparing to challenge incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem in December’s election.
Quick Takes on the Business of Motorsport This Week
- Climbing the Luxury Ladder: Motorsports Hospitality Tiers Drive 47% Higher Premium Spending Among Engaged Fans (Vantage)
- New Thunder Ridge circuit project given green light (SpeedCafe)
- Supercars pens ‘AUS$200m’ broadcast rights extension with Foxtel and Seven (BlackBook Motorsport)
- Populous to design new motorsport circuit in Rio (Stadium Business)
- The importance of endurance racing’s belated return to Britain (Autosport Plus)
- DAZN signs global free broadcast deal with TCR Europe (Advanced Television)
- Ford rebrands motorsports division to Ford Racing (RACER)
- Ex-Haas F1 team boss Steiner leads takeover of Tech3 KTM MotoGP team (Autosport)
Highlights from the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup
Sustainability at the Dutch Grand Prix is one of the topics covered on this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup. I also have details on Mercedes F1’s use of EV trucks, sustainable motorsport in the Cayman Islands and where synthetic fuels fit in motorsport.
The Numbers
- IndyCar ends season with a ratings bump for Nashville (RACER)
- IndyCar 2025 season in numbers: Fox lays solid foundations and attendances boom (BlackBook Motorsport)
- IndyCar sees double-digit audience gains in first season with Fox (Sports Business Journal)
- FOX Sports counting the wins after first season as IndyCar broadcaster (RACER)
Motorsport Law Roundup
A look at some of the legal and regulatory issues and analysis in Motorsport this week
Here are the latest developments in the 23XI, Front Row Motorsport vs NASCAR court case.
- NASCAR reverses course on 23XI, Front Row Motorsport charter sales (RACER)
- NASCAR Argues Injunction Demand by 23XI, Front Row Is Moot (Sportico)
- Jordan and Hamlin Denied Injunction in Antitrust Suit Against NASCAR (AutoWeek)
- 23XI, Front Row denied charter status for rest of ’25 season (RACER)
- The Antitrust Crossroads: NASCAR’s Legal Battle and the Future of Sports Investment (AI Invest)
Williams has lodged a right of review request with the FIA over the penalty Carlos Sainz picked up in Formula 1’s Dutch Grand Prix for his collision with Liam Lawson. “Now we are trying to see if we can come up with enough evidence and enough stuff to realise if we can change the outcome of the penalty, because I still firmly believe it was a very poor penalty that I received and a bad judgment. If there’s been a misunderstanding or a lack of evidence or a lack of analysis, then there is still time to reanalyse it, to reopen it and change it.”
Motorsport Sponsorship, Partnership News and Analysis
The latest motorsport sponsorship deals, partnerships and related analysis that were announced this week
- Dale Coyne Racing extends partnership with Ault Blockchain for 2026 (Motorsport Week)
- Cadillac F1: why the sponsorship market reopens (and how to seize the opportunity) (RTR Sports Marketing)
- McLaren’s $100m Mastercard deal shows the power of brand value (The Sponsor)
- Aon uses Ferrari’s home F1 race to launch new partnership (BlackBook Motorsport)
- Beyond the Track: How Brands Won Big in F1’s First Half (Relo Metrics)
- McLaren partner with Trend Micro, Williams team up with New Era ahead of F1 Italian Grand Prix (BlackBook Motorsport)
- Allica Bank Backs Rising Motorsport Star Daniella Sutton as Official Banking Partner (Financial IT)
- GEICO’s Sponsorship Playbook: Activations, Wins, and Pitfalls in IndyCar, NHRA, and SuperCross (Patrick Judge)
- Red Bull agree F1 Academy deal with Anastasia Beverly Hills (BlackBook Motorsport)
- How F1 and Allwyn turn sponsorship into social value with community award (Autosport)
- What’s driving Revolut’s global sports sponsorship push? (SportsPro)
- Sam’s Club Bets On Experiential Retail Media With INDYCAR Sponsorship (Forbes)
- Every Team’s Title Sponsor for the 2025 Formula 1 Season (RTR Sports Marketing)
- F1 toasts latest LVMH brand as French Bloom joins as official partner (BlackBook Motorsport)
Team & Manufacturer News
A roundup of the latest team news from around the world of motorsport
- Toyota unveils V8-powered Supra for 2026 Supercars season (Autosport)
- HMO Customer Racing joins remaining FIA TCR World Tour rounds (Touring Car Times)
- One Motorsport to miss remainder of the season as focus switches to 2026 (Touring Car Times)
- McLaren Racing valued at more than ‘UK£3bn’ after selling stake (BlackBook Motorsport)
- McLaren is now worth more than Ferrari (Business of Speed)
- Briatore: New Renault CEO will have no impact on Alpine F1 team’s future
- Genesis Completes First Full-Scale LMDh Test (Sportscar365)
- Two McLarens Added For Red Bull Ring (Daily Sportscar)
- Is Lancia preparing to return to the WRC? (Autosport)
- PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports and Bryan Herta Autosport Partner For 2026 IMSA LMP2 Program (PR1/Mathiasen Motorsports)
- GMS Race Cars acquires SRX assets (RACER)
Motorsport Movers & Shakers
Jonathan Wheatley has worked with Schumi, Alonso, Vettel, and Verstappen, and will lead Audi F1 in 2026. But it all started with a spin at the Benetton parking lot in 1991 where he almost crashed the car. The Drive looks at his incredible career so far.
“I’ve loved managing people, building teams, guiding people in their career paths, seeing them come in as a junior employee and then ending up as a senior employee. I love all of that, and I love building teams, so it’s just a bigger team to put together as team principal than it was as a sporting director or mechanic.”
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.
