Apple is preparing a sweeping overhaul of how Formula 1 is presented to U.S. audiences, using the full weight of its ecosystem to deliver a more immersive, technology-driven viewing experience and this week’s Business of Motorsport Roundup has the details. I also have comprehensive motorsport legal analysis, the latest sponsorship deals and much more.
Overview
- Motorsport Industry News
- Apple Has Big Plans With F1 TV Coverage
- Imola Embarks On Major Facelift as F1 Dream Remains Alive
- Dorna Wants MotoGP Race at Albert Park
- Mark Martin Exposes How Sponsorship Money and OEM Demands Warped NASCAR’s Modern Look
- Why the Future of Mobility is Being Written in Daytona
- 10 Key Developments You Might Have Missed in Motorsports’ Offseason
- IndyCar Has ‘Outlined Plans’ To Offer Charter Memberships To Honda and Chevrolet
- Quick Takes on the Business of Motorsport This Week
- Highlights from the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup
- Motorsport Law Roundup
- Motorsport Sponsorship, Partnership News and Analysis
- The Business of Running a Race Team
- Team & Manufacturer News
- Motorsport Movers & Shakers
Motorsport Industry News
Apple Has Big Plans With F1 TV Coverage

F1 feels it will be a bigger priority with Apple than it was with ESPN, helping justify its move to streaming starting in 2026. The global racing series is making what some view as a gamble by leaving U.S. linear television entirely in an even bolder departure than MLS, which still has some games air on traditional TV.
For its part, Apple’s global head of sports says the company will deploy its full ecosystem as it prepares to take over Formula 1’s US broadcast rights in 2026. They are also looking at extending Formula 1 coverage beyond race day into a week-long experience.
“When we do a partnership like this, it’s not a partnership with Apple Sports or Apple Video, it’s a partnership with Apple,” Jim DeLorenzo, Apple’s global head of sports confirmed. “And what that means is that we’re gonna bring the entire company to bear to try to figure out how do we grow together with F1, with the teams, with the drivers.”
Imola Embarks On Major Facelift as F1 Dream Remains Alive
The Imola circuit is undertaking a huge overhaul as it aims to keep the door open to an Formula 1 return. Despite its exclusion from the 2026 calendar, the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari is working with the Municipality of Imola to modernize its facilities, so that it will be ready in case an opportunity opens up. Motorsport.com has all the details.
Dorna Wants MotoGP Race at Albert Park
MotoGP organiser Dorna Sports wants to move the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix to Albert Park, according to a local newspaper report. But in a video posted online by Seven News, SA premier Peter Malinauskas outlined his state’s position on a potential bid for a MotoGP race. He clarified that it would be The Bend, not a street circuit, that would host a MotoGP race, and that negations would be led by the Shahin family, which owns the Tailem Bend facility.
Mark Martin Exposes How Sponsorship Money and OEM Demands Warped NASCAR’s Modern Look
Mark Martin recently opened up about how much of the criticism aimed at NASCAR is actually misplaced, and how sponsorship money, team demands, and OEM input have shaped the modern look of NASCAR cars.
“All this stuff is complicated, and most of all these things, a lot of things NASCAR gets blamed for,” Martin said in the Mark Martin Archive podcast. “The fans hate that damage vehicle policy. They hate it. That’s the teams. That’s not NASCAR. The number location, that’s teams. They wanted NASCAR to make that rule.”
Why the Future of Mobility is Being Written in Daytona

While Formula 1 chases valuations, sports car racing is becoming the automotive world’s most important R&D lab. The Business of Speed looks at how. “And right now, if you want to see where the global automotive industry is actually putting its money to test the future of mobility, you don’t look at the grid in Monaco. You look at the GTP class in IMSA.”
10 Key Developments You Might Have Missed in Motorsports’ Offseason
The 2025–26 motorsports offseason delivered more than headline announcements. Across F1, WEC, IMSA, NASCAR, IndyCar, rally, and GT racing, quieter regulatory, financial, and competitive shifts are already reshaping how teams, series, and manufacturers approach the 2026 season. Vantage looks at the 10 key developments you may have missed this offseason.
IndyCar Has ‘Outlined Plans’ To Offer Charter Memberships To Honda and Chevrolet
IndyCar owner Penske Entertainment could offer charter memberships to manufacturers Honda and Chevrolet, according to RACER. Both Chevrolet and Honda have engine supply agreements that expire at the end of this season, with Honda’s long-term future in IndyCar having been uncertain for some time. Offering manufacturers a direct stake in the charter system would significantly deepen their relationship with the series and mark a major evolution in IndyCar’s commercial structure.
Quick Takes on the Business of Motorsport This Week
Highlights from the Autosport Business Exchange and More

- The best moments of Autosport Business Exchange (Motorsport.com)
- Professional Motorsport Cosplay: the deprofessionalisation of motorsport (The Motorsport Saga by Alan Dove)
- New technical partnership between Birelart and IAME (Kartcom)
- All Hail The Rise of the Racing Collection (Paddock Journal)
- How acquisition of Heartland Motorsport Park might benefit Topeka (CJ Online)
- Q&A: At the Dakar Rally, Ford’s CEO talks Raptor, V-8s and hybrids (The Detroit News)
- The Automotive Country Club: 10 Membership Marketing Trends Driving Private Motorsports Clubs in 2026 (Private Club Marketing)
- F1 teams trading at “material discount” compared to NFL, NBA and Premier League (BlackBook Motorsport)
- Beyond the Track: How Formula One Became More Than Just a Weekend (Paddock Journal)
- Formula 1’s Private Equity Era (Sector)
- Why We’ll Definitely See an F1 x Heated Rivalry Crossover in 2026 (Sunday’s Sponsors)
- 2026 Rolex 24 at Daytona Predictions: Data, Strategy, and Winning Trends (Vantage)
Highlights from the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup
Formula E Becomes a Certified B Corp

Formula E has become a certified B Corp and, in this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup you will find out why. I also have the details on how Mercedes F1 are continuing to push the sustainability envelope and much more!
Motorsport Law Roundup
Finding the Apex: Legal and Regulatory Considerations for New F1 Teams

The film F1, which sees Apex GP, a fictitious team, join the back of the Formula 1 grid, took the motorsports world by storm following its release in June 2025. Now, ahead of Cadillac F1’s debut at the start of the 2026 season, this article by Afeefah Shabbir of Penningtons Manches Cooper considers the key regulatory and legal considerations for new teams joining the FIA Championship.
What Substances and Methods Are Banned in FIA Racing? Anti-Doping Rules Explained for Drivers
The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile has followed the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) World Anti-Doping Code since 2010. Global Sports Advocates’ international anti-doping attorneys help drivers and driver support personnel understand these rules so they can protect their reputation and right to compete. They have written an article explaining what substances and methods are banned in FIA racing. You can read the article here.
Isack Hadjar’s Former Manager Has Reportedly Sued the Driver
Auto Hebdo is reporting that Guillaume Maillard, Isack Hadjar’s former manager, has reportedly launched legal proceedings against the driver regarding the terms of the termination of their agreement.
“When Ferrari contacted me to receive Isack at MaranelloHis parents told me they had decided to sign with Red Bull, but without consulting me… I felt things were changing. Then in November 2021, I received a registered letter from a lawyer explaining that he was now representing Isack Hadjar and informing me that my contract with him was null and void, that they owed me nothing.”
Motorsport Sponsorship, Partnership News and Analysis
Selling Sponsorship in Formula E and More Motorsport Sponsorship Deals

- How do you sell sponsorships for a Formula E team? We asked Andretti, Nissan and Porsche (BlackBook Motorsport)
- adidas & Audi Revolut F1 Team Reveal Their First Range, Built for the Entire Team and its Fanbase Ahead of Team Launch on 20 January (PR)
- McLaren signs PUMA as new multi-year team kit and apparel partner (Sector)
- The inside story of how two racing icons came together to design the freshest kits and apparel of the 2026 season (Esses)
- WHOOP Becomes Official Health and Fitness Wearable Partner and Team Partner of Scuderia Ferrari HP (PR)
- Unpacking Scuderia Ferrari’s Data-Led Performance Partnership with WHOOP (Sports Pundit)
- Heineken exclusive beer partner of Autosport Awards 2026 (Autosport)
- F1’s Williams Racing Puts Atlassian Under The Stopwatch (Forbes)
- AkzoNobel backs McLaren’s multi-series ambitions with extended global alliance (Sports Mint)

- Haas confirms multi-year F1 partnership with FIX Network (Sector)
- Motul Joins Whelen Mazda MX-5 Cup as Official Oil Parnter (Mazda MX-5 Cup)
- Women control two assets that brands are perpetually chasing (Idée Fixe)
- Audi sign latest F1 deal with Piquadro (BlackBook Motorsport)
- Honda’s Aston Martin works deal hailed as growth driver for F1 in Japan (Sector)
- New name for Carrera Cup Australia (SpeedCafe)
- CUBE 3 Architecture renews TA2 title sponsorship for 2026 season (RACER)
- NASCAR Finds Comfort Food In A Familiar Name As Hardee’s Returns (Forbes)

- Unilever’s Clear secures Formula 1 partnership with Oracle Red Bull Racing Team (Cosmetics Business)
- Microsoft switches F1 sponsorship from Alpine to Mercedes (Autosport)
- Mercedes F1 adds Nubank as global sponsor (Sport Business)
- PUMA Motorsport x McLaren Racing (Esses)
- McLaren Racing swap Castore for Puma in new F1 kit deal (SportsPro)
- Carole Nash becomes the Official Insurance Partner of the British Superbike Championship (British Superbike)
- Amid boom in nicotine pouch category, NASCAR brings on Grizzly as sponsor (Sports Business Journal)
The Business of Running a Race Team
McLaren Racing’s Louise McEwen on Building a Fan-First Brand On and Off the Track
Louise McEwen, CMO of McLaren Racing, joins Edelman’s Jackie Cooper at Cannes Lions to discuss how her brand builds emotional connection with fans, drives cultural relevance, and balances heritage with innovation. She reflects on the importance of instilling trust through inclusive experiences and a fan-first mindset, while always honoring the brand’s racing legacy.
Team & Manufacturer News
PREMA Looking for New Backers and More Global Team News

- PREMA undergoes ownership shake-up; clock ticking on search for new backers (RACER)
- How Jonathan Wheatley has helped put Audi in good shape for F1 debut (Motorsport Week)
- Inside Red Bull Powertrains: How Red Bull and Ford built their F1 engine project (Autosport)
- Red Bull Racing embracing ‘bold and audacious’ Powertrain project (Motorsport Technology)
- Uruguay Racing Team announces three Peugeots for TCR South America (Touring Car Times)
- Cadillac wants to add third V-Series.R to Le Mans field (RACER)

- Premiere in Berlin: Audi Revolut F1 Team officially unveiled (Audi)
- Audi’s Berlin F1 launch was about more than just the R26 (Sector)
- The challenges facing Audi ahead of F1 2026 (Autosport)
- ‘To become competitive, we need to stay humble’: Audi prioritizing learning over results for first F1 season (RACER)
- After marking its mark in Europe, Team WRT is starting to write its American story (RACER)

- Red Bull and Ford move into F1 manufacturer era with Detroit launch (Sector)
- Honda unveils 2026 F1 power unit alongside Aston Martin (Autosport)
- Honda details challenges, opportunities offered by its F1 relaunch with Aston Martin (RACER)
- Honda’s New Chapter in F1: Taking on the Challenge of Transformation as a Factory Team in 2026 (Honda)
- Beginning another IMSA chapter in the life of Riley (RACER)

- BHA to Run Four Hyundai Elantra N TCR Cars in 2026 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMSA)
- Why Toyota updated its Hypercar for 2026 (Racecar Engineering)
- VRD Racing Announces Strategic Partnership With Pole Position Motorsports (VRD Racing)
- Cadillac and the Quiet Confidence of an F1 Paddock Statement (Pitlane News)
- Why Last Privateer Standing Should Be Warning to WEC/IMSA (Sportscar365+)
Motorsport Movers & Shakers
Detroit Free Press Breakfast Club with Mark Reuss and Roger Penske
Watch Live as Detroit Free Press Breakfast Club hosts General Motors President Mark Reuss and Penske Corp. Chairman Roger Penske from the new Hudson’s lower tower.
