The FIA has been sued over what are deemed “undemocratic” election rules by presidential candidate Laura Villars and I have the details in this week’s Business of Motorsport Roundup. I also have details of how much NASCAR teams are paid to race, the latest motorsport legal developments and more.
Overview
Motorsport Industry News
FIA Sued by Presidential Candidate Villars Over Undemocratic Election
FIA presidential candidate Laura Villars is suing the federation over its democratic standards, with a first hearing set for 10 November. “I have twice tried to open a constructive dialogue with the FIA on essential matters such as internal democracy and the transparency of electoral rules,” Villars said in a statement. “The responses received were not up to the challenge. I am not acting against the FIA. I am acting to protect it. Democracy is not a threat to the FIA; it is its strength.”
FIA Confirms All F1 Teams Met 2024 Cost Cap; Aston Martin in “Procedural Breach”
All 10 Formula 1 teams successfully obliged with the championship cost cap during the 2024 season with only Aston Martin found to be in a “procedural breach”, the FIA has confirmed. The FIA said that the breach “was of a very minor nature, originated by unpredictable circumstances outside the control of the F1 team. AMR and FIA have entered an ABA (Accepted Breach Agreement) on 29 September 2025 to resolve the matter.”
- FIA completes its review of compliance with the 2024 FIA Formula 1 Financial Regulations (FIA)
- Accepted Breach Agreement between AMR GP Limited and the FIA for breach of the 2024 FIA Formula One Financial Regulations (FIA)
Why Alleged Cost Cap Breach Rumors Highlight Need for Greater FIA Transparency
Regarding the Cost Cap Regulations, Mat Coch of Planet F1 argues that all the cost cap breach rumors highlight the need for greater transparency. “If Aston Martin was the only team found in breach, and that was squared away the better part of a month ago, why had it taken so long to complete the compliance review, a process usually resolved around the Singapore Grand Prix?”
FIA Confirms ‘Hackers’ Breached Verstappen’s Personal Information
F1’s governing body, the FIA, has confirmed one of its driver information databases was subject to a breach that let “hackers” access Max Verstappen’s personal information in just 10 minutes.
“The FIA became aware of a cyber incident involving the FIA Driver Categorisation website over the summer,” the FIA said. “Immediate steps were taken to secure drivers’ data, and the FIA reported this issue to the applicable data protection authorities in accordance with the FIA’s obligations. It has also notified the small number of drivers impacted by this issue. No other FIA digital platforms were impacted in this incident.”
Mexico City Promoter Urges NASCAR, IndyCar to Build Foundations for Future Events
The promoter of motorsport events in Mexico City says the soccer World Cup played a big role in not hosting NASCAR and IndyCar in 2026 but that both series need to build foundations for 2027 events.
“[NASCAR] was fantastic; it’s a great event,” Soberon said. “I think it’s something that can be built on. Next year, there were some scheduling problems and it was difficult, and the World Cup in the middle didn’t facilitate certain things, but I think IndyCar and NASCAR have great potential to grow in Mexico and take advantage of this wonderful fanbase, so I think we should expect [news on that for 2027].”
NASCAR Charter Documents Reveal How Much Teams Actually Get Paid Per Race
The NASCAR Charter Agreement released Wednesday isn’t bedtime reading. It’s 108 pages of dense legalese, the kind of document that could make a lawyer’s eyelids heavy in less than five minutes and the kind of thing you’d read only if the power went out and your phone died. Greg Engle of Forbes went through the document and discovered that it reveals how much NASCAR teams actually get paid per race.
“The tables show, in crisp black and white, exactly what each finishing position earns and how that scales over the next several years. There’s nothing speculative about it. No whispers, no “industry sources.” Just line after line of percentages, projections, and payouts that map out the financial DNA of the NASCAR Cup Series.”
Korus Group is Born
Korus Group officially took shape on October 27, 2025, as the Italian platform representing motorsport excellence at 360 degrees worldwide. Korus, whose majority shares are held by the “TEC Racing” vehicle promoted within the “The Equity Club” initiative, is built on the solid foundations of Tatuus Racing, ATM – Autotecnica Motori, and Breda Racing, which began joining forces in 2017–2018. They were later joined by YCOM in 2024, while in 2025 majority acquisitions of BirelArt, Next Solution Technologies, IAME, and Kart Republic were completed.
KTM to Slash Workforce by Over 50%, MotoGP Operations to be Hit
Bajaj Auto has revealed plans to cut workforce by over 50% across several areas at KTM, including motorsport, as it inches closer to completing a takeover of the Austrian manufacturer. “This is really low-hanging fruit. We observe an opportunity to reduce overheads by more than 50%, including R&D, marketing (including racing), operations, and general administration,” Bajaj told CNBC TV18.
More Change at Liberty Media as Founder Malone Steps Down from Chairman Role
Another major change is underway at F1 owner Liberty Media with the news that chairman John Malone will step down from the board as of January 1, and will take up the role of chairman emeritus. He will be replaced by current vice chairman Robert ‘Dob’ Bennett, who has been with the company since it was founded in 1991.
Quick Takes on the Business of Motorsport This Week
- Aussie Rules Racing (Esses)
- Apple just paid F1 either way too much or way to little (Idée Fixe)
- Toto Wolff on Drive to Survive, Brad Pitt’s F1 Movie, and Mercedes’ $2.7M Hypercar (Huddle Up)
- Sanctioned Russian ex-general back in FIA fold (BBC)
- Sebring International Raceway names Muha as new president/GM (RACER)
- Expanded Rolex 24 Grid “Not Possible” Due to Pit Lane Space (Sportscar365)
- Alpine’s IMSA Delay: How 25% U.S. Tariffs Are Rewriting Foreign Automaker Strategies in 2025 (Vantage)
- Ferrari Unveils F76 Digital Hypercar (Daily Sportscar)
- NASCAR turns to YouTube for new ‘Rising’ docuseries (Sports Business Journal)
- Apple TV Just Paid $750 Million to Take Over Formula 1’s U.S. Broadcast Rights (Huddle Up)
- Marcos Ambrose lands key Australian motorsport role (SpeedCafe)
- Autosport International to return in 2027 with a bold new direction (Autosport)
- Racing Force Group’s new headquarters in Ronco Scrivia fully operational after expansion project (Racing Force Group)
- Canadian Motorsport Hall of Fame announces Class of 2025 inductees (Inside Track)
- Versant puts boots on ground to reaffirm NASCAR as priority amid corporate shake-up (Sports Business Journal)
- Soapbox retains Formula E UK PR account (SIG)
Highlights from the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup
Team Bath Racing Electric
Team Bath is racing electric as year after year they continue to improve on their Formula Student electric race car. You will find out more about Team Bath in this week’s edition of the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup. I also have Formula E news, the technology behind the E1 electric powerboat and much more!
The Numbers This Week
F1 Averages Record 1.5M Viewers for Mexico City GP on ABC
Formula One averaged 1.5 million viewers on ABC for last weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix, a record US TV audience for the event. It represents a ten per cent increase on last year’s audience and beats the previous record viewership of 1.46 million for the 2023 race.
Motorsport Law Roundup
The Fight That Changed Everything: Susie Wolff on the FIA Investigation to the F1 Academy
The $80 Million F1 ‘Crashgate’ Case Heads to Court
Felipe Massa’s case is officially being heard in court. Preliminary hearings regarding his case against the FIA, Formula One Management, and former F1 CEO Bernie Ecclestone concerning the 2008 title, specifically the ‘Crashgate’ scandal that he claims cost him the championship, will be held in a London high court this week, a year after his lawsuit was filed. Massa is challenging a world championship decision from 17 years ago, an unprecedented move in F1.
Massa “performed very poorly” at the Singapore Grand Prix in 2008 – the scene of the ‘Crashgate’ scandal – which cost him the race win and ultimately the drivers’ world championship, a court has heard. “Ecclestone’s lawyer David Quest said Massa and Ferrari’s mistakes rather than Piquet’s crash led to him missing out on the title.”
NASCAR’s Counterclaim Dismissed in Court
Judge Kenneth Bell has dismissed NASCAR’s counterclaim against Front Row Motorsports, 23XI Racing, and 23XI Racing co-owner Curtis Polk. “NASCAR’s evidence fails to establish either an unreasonable restraint of trade or that it suffered antitrust injury,” Judge Bell wrote in his order.
NASCAR, 23XI and Front Row Debate Summary Judgement in Court
It seems as though the 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports v NASCAR antitrust lawsuit and countersuit is destined for a trial by jury come December reports Motorsport.com.
“The two parties met in court on Thursday following two days of settlement mediation overseen by Judge Kenneth D. Bell. The judge, who has overseen this case for over a year now opened this session by thanking the legal representatives and their clients for trying to reach an agreement — even if not immediately fruitful.”
NASCAR Star Kyle Busch Sues Pacific Life Over $8.5M Insurance Scam
NASCAR driver Kyle Busch, one of the sport’s most well-known stars, has filed a multimillion-dollar life insurance lawsuit—and has taken aim at the case’s defendants in an unprecedented public manner. Busch, a two-time Cup Series champion, and his wife, Samantha, claimed they lost $8.58 million from purchasing Pacific Life policies.
Motorsport Sponsorship, Partnership News and Analysis
- Hot Wheels expands Formula 1 Collection to include Scuderia Ferrari HP and Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team (Formula 1)
- AI category provides dual advantages for rights-holders (Sport Business Sponsorship)
- Sponsor Debrief: United States Grand Prix (Sunday’s Sponsors)
- Decoding Fashion Branding in F1: What Defines Each Team From One Another (The Paddock Journal)
- Alpine F1 Team seeks larger U.S. presence, sponsor count despite road-car sales delay (Sports Business Journal)
- How Integral Are Casino Sponsors to F1? (AR1)
- Katherine Legge was nearly scammed with $20M racing sponsorship deal involving crypto payments (Sport Skeeda)
- Otro Capital holds ‘exploratory talks’ over selling Alpine F1 stake (BlackBook Motorsport)
- Disney to begin F1 partnership with ‘spectacular’ Las Vegas GP debut (Planet F1)
- Skip Barber Racing School Named Official Driving Academy Partner of Stables Motor Condos (Skip Barber Racing School)
- The Hilfiger Racing Club Is Unlocking Motorsport (High Snobiety)
- Droplight expands sponsorship of Foster RLL entry (RACER)
- NASCAR agrees short-term Tide sponsorship deal for Phoenix finale (BlackBook Motorsport)
The Business of Running a Race Team
What It Really Takes to Build the First Cadillac Formula 1 Car
Team & Manufacturer News
- What the Porsche exit rumours mean for Manthey Racing (Autosport)
- Ed Carpenter Racing aligns with Cape, Howard (RACER)
- Wright Motorsports Eyeing “Big International Program” with Porsche for 2027 (Sportscar365)
- Porsche Squad Tsunami RT to Make Bathurst 12H Debut (Sportscar365)
- Team Insight: Pfaff Motorsports (Lamborghini)
- Genesis Magma Racing’s Trajectory Program set to continue in 2026 (RACER)
- Lola Yamaha and Cupra Kiro change team principals ahead of 2025/26 Formula E season (BlackBook Motorsport)
- Trackhouse’s incredible rise reflects MotoGP’s shifting landscape (Motorsport Magazine)
- Kaulig pauses NASCAR Xfinity Series program (RACER)
Motorsport Movers & Shakers
Making History Was Just The Start for Stephanie Travers
In 2020, trackside fluid engineer Stephanie Travers made history. Now, she’s designing a new future for motorsport. Today, she’s traded her spot on the pit lane for a powerful new role: breaking down the systemic barriers that once stood in her way. As Senior Impact Manager at Mission 44 — the charity founded by seven-time world champion Hamilton — Travers is driving meaningful change by making motorsport and STEM careers more accessible to young people from underrepresented backgrounds.
Read more about her work here.
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.
