The FIA is being challenged from two different directions on sporting integrity, and I have the details in the motorsport law roundup in this week’s Business of Motorsport Roundup. I also have news on the future of the Dutch Grand Prix and more.
Overview
Motorsport Industry News
The Future of the Dutch Grand Prix
For a long time, an F1 return to Zandvoort was considered impossible. Ahead of the final edition, both F1 and the organisers look back with satisfaction. But why is the Dutch GP ending, and will F1 ever return to the Netherlands? Autosport looks to answer this question while organizers see a potential path back.
“Circuit Zandvoort could serve as an alternative venue in the future if another Grand Prix were unable to take place due to geopolitical circumstances, for example. The circuit’s FIA Grade 1 license will remain valid for another three years,” the Dutch Grand Prix organization told The Associated Press in a statement Saturday.
Argentine President will Personally Lobby FIA for his Country’s Return to Formula 1 Calendar
Argentine President Javier Milei has pledged to personally lobby the FIA as the country steps up its campaign to bring Formula 1 back to Buenos Aires reports Grand Prix 24/7. “We are going to work to have Formula 1 back in Argentina again. I’m also going to have a meeting with the people from the FIA.”
Smart TV Analytics Provide Dire Numbers for Apple TV F1 Viewership, but Not Whole Story
Hopes were high for Apple TV and F1 streaming in early 2026, but a recent set of data suggests that things fell off sharply in May and viewership has been down double digits since, but caution should be exercised in how the numbers were generated.
“Statistical analysis of viewership numbers is a tricky game on its own, especially when dealing with viewership numbers on Apple platforms. Samba is an analytics company that thrives on data obtained, often without the user’s knowledge, thanks to being embedded in smart TV software. Apple, however, is a company that offers the Apple TV set-top box and the Apple TV app, sans Samba. Given that, a report from USA Today on data obtained from Samba is an interesting peek into Apple’s deal with F1.”
F1 Calendar Latest: New Back-Up Plan for 2027 Season-Opener
The Chinese Grand Prix has emerged as a leading options to be the 2027 Formula 1 season opener if starting in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia is not possible. F1’s provisional idea is to start next year in Bahrain – so if that cannot happen then an alternative plan needs to be put in place. Full details at The Race here.
Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington D.C. Likely to be a One-Off
President Trump’s administration and D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser are interested in turning the Freedom 250 Grand Prix into an annual event, but it’s currently shaping up to be a one-and-done, according to INDYCAR President Doug Boles. While the event was both a ratings hit and popular with drivers and fans, the organizers do say they are open-minded about its future.
Meanwile, the promoter of the race has called it his “Sistine Chapel” but without the 250th anniversary of the USA, the economics make things a bit harder to justify economically.
IndyCar’s $1.7m Leaders Circle Race is On
If finishing towards the bottom of the 25 full-time drivers wasn’t enough of an emotional punishment in the IndyCar Series, there’s also a heavy financial loss to consider as its tail-end teams are at risk of losing nearly $1.7 million apiece in the entrants’ championship as the season speeds to a close in the coming weeks. RACER explains the math here.
Optimism Rising for IndyCar Return to Brazil
The IndyCar Series is speaking with increased confidence regarding a return to race in Brazil. RACER understands the series has been telling its teams and drivers over the past few weeks to be prepared for a possible trip to the FIA Grade 2-certified road course in Goiania, Brazil, in 2027. To date, Penske Entertainment CEO Mark Miles has made three trips to meet with circuit officials at Autodromo Ayrton Senna and regional leaders in the state of Goias, where ongoing motivation to bring IndyCar to the 2.4-mile, 14-turn track is held.
MotoGP Management Reshuffle as Liberty Media Reaffirms Ezpeleta Family’s Leadership
Liberty Media has announced Carlos Ezpeleta as the deputy CEO of MotoGP, while confirming his father, Carmelo, in the role of CEO. The move is being interpreted as a sign that the US company is doubling down on its confidence in the Ezpeleta family as the senior executives within the structure of MotoGP Sports Entertainment Group (MotoGP SEG), formerly Dorna.
MotoGP: Liberty’s Next Challenge After Formula 1
Speaking of MotoGP, Money in Sport looks at Liberty Media’s next challenge Formula 1 in elevating MotoGP to match F1’s growth trajectory. The full analysis can be read here.
WRC Seeking Chinese Manufacturer with Plan of “Six Constructors by 2029”
Attracting a Chinese manufacturer to join the World Rally Championship is a “clear target” for the FIA as it looks to grow rallying’s automotive brand portfolio in the future according to Autosport. “For me personally, if we could achieve six constructors by 2029, that would be great progress being made.”
San Diego Returning to 2027 NASCAR Schedule; Other Military Locations Under Consideration for the Future
NASCAR will return to San Diego and Naval Base Coronado in 2027 with the Cup and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The event will be held July 30–August 1 at Naval Air Station North Island. It is a 16-turn course, 3.4 miles long.
“What we experienced this year – the incredible racing, the energy from our fans and the partnership with the U.S. Navy and the San Diego community – showed just how special this event can be,” said NASCAR San Diego President Amy Lupo.
NASCAR Says Overseas Points Races Aren’t Coming Anytime Soon
NASCAR won’t take any points races in its three national series outside North America in the near future, NASCAR COO Ben Kennedy says.
“Just logistically speaking, it’s much simpler for us to either go north of the (United States) border or south of the border and back, given that we don’t have many off weeks in this schedule,” Kennedy said while discussing the 2027 schedules for NASCAR’s Cup, O’Reilly Auto Parts, and Craftsman Truck series.
Quick Takes on the Business of Motorsport This Week
- Dakar Rally Mayhem: Inside Land Rover’s Triumphant Return To The ‘Mount Everest of Motorsport’ (Maxim)
- RPM Group Moves Ahead With Vision For South Florida After PBIR Deal Collapse (Dragzine)
- SC racecar driver raising $3.7M asking price for historic Greenville racetrack. Here’s how to help (The State)
- Have We Optimised the Soul Out of Formula 1? Inside the Sport’s Uneasy Embrace of Generative AI (Paddock Journal)
- The F1 Hospitality Squeeze: Why the F1 Paddock Club Isn’t Enough Anymore (Rush)
- The US Motorsports Club Market – Part 2 (Mücke Roth & Company)
- MIA Insights: Behind Every Podium: The Power of Motorsport’s SMEs (MIA)
- Madring circuit shares new photos ahead of Madrid’s maiden Grand Prix (F1)
- Madring passes first test before Spanish Grand Prix debut (AutoAction)
- Something Bigger Is Happening in Private Motorsports (Écurie Motor Club)
- The 1% Advantage: What Envision Racing Can Teach Business About AI (Global Sustainable Sport)
- The Fastest Thing Off the Shelf? (Now Builds Next)
- Allwyn and McLaren to bring live F1 showrun to Athens (Sector)
- ‘Completely different world’ – how F1 software has evolved (Racecar Engineering)
- IMSA, Collegiate Racing Series Jointly Establish National Advisory Board for Motorsports Education (IMSA)
Highlights from the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup
FIA Tackles F1 Microplastics and Particulates
The FIA is tackling the issue of F1 microplastics and particulates in a test project at the Dutch Grand Prix and I have the details in this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup. I also have the tech behind a hydrogen land speed record and more!
The Numbers This Week
IndyCar’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix Delivers With 3.2 Million Viewers
IndyCar’s Freedom 250 Grand Prix of Washington DC on Sunday, August 23 was watched by 3,282 million viewers. That’s the most-viewed non-Indy 500 race since the start of the IndyCar Series when the Indy Racing League and Champ Car merged before the 2008 season. It was up 364 percent over last year’s 708,000 viewers for the FOX portion of last year’s 15th race from Portland, when the first 31 minutes started on FS1.
Motorsport Law Roundup
FIA Exploring Legal Options Over Abuse Against F1 Stewards Following Franco Colapinto’s Dutch GP Penalty
Formula 1’s governing body the FIA condemned the online harassment directed at its race stewards following their decision to apply the rulebook and penalize Alpine driver Franco Colapinto at Zandvoort. They have also announced that they are exploring their legal options relating to the incident.
FIA Issues Official Response Following Franco Colapinto Sponsor’s Allegations
Also related to this Dutch Grand Prix incident, the FIA has stepped into the heat of controversy after the Dutch Grand Prix. Franco Colapinto’s main sponsor publicly accused the sport’s governing body of “killing the integrity” of Formula 1. This marks one of the most outspoken moments surrounding race steward decisions this season, raising fresh questions about governance and fairness in motorsport.
McLaren Appealing Monaco GP Result “With a Double Intent”
McLaren Formula 1 team principal Andrea Stella says its appeal against the Monaco Grand Prix result stems from its concern for “the integrity of the sport“. Indications are that the outcome of last Tuesday’s hearing will be potentially in weeks.
Autosport does a good job of detailing the complexities of the case here. “What was more unusual was that the hearing lasted the entire day. The ICA heard the arguments from all sides, but it will take time to reach a considered judgement. This is due to the complexity of the legal arguments involved, but also the wider implications for F1, which McLaren in particular has explicitly linked to some general ‘principles of fairness‘.”
Judge Allows Counterclaims by Gabehart and Spire against Gibbs to Proceed
Chris Gabehart and Spire Motorsports can proceed with their counterclaims against Joe Gibbs Racing, according to an order handed down by Judge Susan Rodriguez on Wednesday.
International Sports Law Conference 2026
The International Sports Law Conference 2026, organized by the Law Society of Singapore, serves as a premier bridge between the specialized world of sports governance, dispute resolution, and the broader international commercial legal community. As sports administration and disputes increasingly reflect the complexities of global commerce, this Conference provides a unique platform to examine how Singapore’s operational leadership, legal expertise and steadfast commitment to the rule of law can inform and advance the standards of the global sporting movement.
Full details can be found here.
Motorsport Sponsorship, Partnership News and Analysis
- Crypto Miami Grand Prix: Exploring Crypto and Motorsport Sponsorships (Finance Feeds)
- F1 Continues Its Great Charity Work, but Still Draws the Line on Staunch Political Statements (Sunday’s Sponsors)
- How New Sponsors Changed the Economic Landscape of Motorsport (AR1)
- F1 Sponsorship Spend Crosses $3B Mark in 2026 (Sports Summit)
- Who Is Formula 1 Sponsorship Really For? (Open Track Consultants)
- Elite Motorsports Announces Partnership with Polaris (BVM Sports)
- Gearhead Coffee Named Official Coffee of the T.O.P.S HQ and Motorsports Engineering Symposium Debut at PRI (Gearhead)
- How beverage companies have created lasting value by building beyond visibility (Beyond the Paddock)
- What a Sports Sponsorship Is Actually Worth: The World Ducati Week Case Study (RTR)
- Ancestry Partners with Goodwood Revival (SIG)
- Time is of the essence: How to tell the story of an F1 partner at speed (Sector)
- Chevy branding for Siegel IndyCar at Milwaukee
- The Highest-Leverage Bet in IMSA (Brian Scott McRae)
- WEC: FIA confirms tyre suppliers for 2030–2032 (FIA)
- Formula 1 (F1) Sponsors and Partners – Official List, New Deals & Latest Updates (RTR Sports Marketing)
- The Evolution of Whisky Sponsorship in Formula 1 (Scuderia Fans)
- Why Starburst picked Lando Norris for its first-ever sports deal (Sector)
- NASCAR closing in on new Truck Series title sponsor to replace Craftsman (SBJ)
- Fast Tracks: Aston Martin teams with Defected Records in latest I/AM drop (Sector)
- M&M’s and NASCAR: Thirty Years, a 4-to-1 ROI and How a Sponsorship Ends (RTR)
- The great Canadian sponsorship squeeze (The Sponsor)
- Snap-on Extends Partnership with Milwaukee Race, INDYCAR, IMS (IndyCar)
The Business of Running a Race Team
He Took Over Formula 1’s Smallest Brand. Five Years Later, It Was Worth $3.2 Billion
Chief marketing officer Rob Bloom shares how Aston Martin F1 gained traction with Gen-Z Formula 1 fans in three key steps. You can read what they are at Inc. here.
Team & Manufacturer News
- DragonSpeed to Exit IMSA at End of Season (Sportscar365)
- “Something needed to change” – What Cadillac F1 needs from its Budkowski era (Autosport)
- Jason Plato issues statement on team departure: “Stunned and unsettled” (Touring Car Times)
- The questions surrounding Plato Racing/CPRL after administration (Autosport)
- Revolution Race Cars collaborates with Wessex Resins & Adhesives to drive innovation through advanced composite technology (Revolution Race Cars)
- EBM Enters Sydney Round With ‘Pink Pig’-Liveried Porsche (Sportscar365)
- Are F1 teams still undervalued compared to US franchises? (The Race)
- Ford completes shakedown at Paul Ricard ahead of WEC debut (Autosport)
- McLaren has already completed 30-hour endurance test with LMDh challenger (Autosport)
Motorsport Movers & Shakers
Zak Brown – From The Drivers’ Seat To McLaren’s F1 Title Charge
McLaren Racing CEO Zak Brown describes his racing highlights, both behind the wheel and as a team boss.
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects and the host of the Motorsport Prospects Podcast. 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.
