Formula 1 engine politics is just one of the topics in this week’s Business of Motorsport Roundup. I also have details on Korea and India’s F1 plans, the return of Apple sponsorship in motorsport and more.
Overview
Motorsport Industry News
Formula 1 Engine Politics
It’s ironic that, amongst all the controversy and regulation changes related to the 2026 Formula 1 engine regulations, talk has already begun around what engine to use in the next rules cycle that is scheduled to come into effect in 2031. Here is a roundup of the latest on the discussions and debates over the 2031 engine rules.
- The political shift that will determine F1’s next engine formula (Autosport)
- “Lesson learned” – the mindset F1 and the FIA need for the next rule change (Autosport)
- F1 hints at major engine rules pivot for 2031 – what we know (The Race)
‘F1 Has No Problems’ – We Challenge F1’s Boss on Key 2026 Concerns
In an interview with The Race, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, they grilled him on the challenges facing F1 with their new rules taking into account the adverse reaction from drivers, team owners and fans. Domenicali’s response? “I think this is not a problem of resolving the problem of Formula 1. Formula 1 has not any problems, Formula 1 is in great shape, just to make sure that is clear to everyone.” You can read the full article here.
Alpine F1 Appointment Brings Renewed Focus to Otro Sale Plans
Renault’s chief financial officer, Duncan Minto, has left the board of Alpine’s F1 team and been replaced by Guillaume Rosso. Rosso is Renault’s global head of mergers and acquisitions and officially took on the additional role on April 7. Planet F1 why this is significant.
South Korea Plans for Hopeful Return to F1 Calendar Revealed
Plans for South Korea to return to the Formula 1 calendar have been revealed, suggesting a new street race in Incheon for 2028. “However, after conducting a financial feasibility study, South Korea has been given a green light to host a 4.96km street circuit around Songdo Moonlight Festival Park, according to the Korea Times.”
Indian Grand Prix Return? Karun Chandhok Sets Timeline as Four-Step Plan Emerges
It’s not just South Korea that wants back on the F1 calendar, India is looking to return as well. Former F1 driver Karun Chandhok, one of only two Indians to have raced in the series thinks that the earliest the race could return would be in 2029. Read what he feels are the 4 criteria necessary for a revival of the Indian Grand Prix here.
McLaren: ‘Mistake’ if F1 allows Mercedes to buy into Alpine
McLaren CEO Zak Brown thinks Formula 1 would be making a “mistake” if it allowed another A/B team alliance – amid Mercedes eyeing a buy-in of the Alpine squad.
“There were discussions in the Concorde Agreement about should, over time, one of the [Red Bull] teams be divested. But I also have a huge appreciation for what they’ve done for the sport and how that was done a long time ago. So I think as long as it’s managed and watched [the Red Bull situation is OK]. But certainly adding to it [through a different alliance], I think would be a mistake for the sport.”
New Constructor Set to Join WRC Top Tier in 2027
RMC Motorsport has unveiled plans to construct an all-new car to compete in the top tier of the World Rally Championship next year. The experienced Spanish team is set to develop a car constructed to the new WRC27 technical regulations in partnership with FIA member club, Real Federacion Espanola de Automovilismo (RFEDA).
John Probst Works to Keep NASCAR Up to Speed with Carmakers, in Tune with Fans
As famed antitrust litigator Jeffrey Kessler pushed and prodded NASCAR executives during a two-week antitrust trial last December, a competition-side employee surprisingly sparred with Kessler the most.
John Probst, NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief racing development officer, was questioned about why the racing series had filed for patents on its seventh-generation car and whether that indicated it was engaged in monopolistic behavior. Trying to put it in terms that the layman could understand, Probst told Kessler that NASCAR spending eight figures to develop a new car and not filing for patents on it would be like The Coca-Cola Company “creating a recipe and immediately giving it to PepsiCo.”
Roughly a decade into his tenure at the sanctioning body, Probst has leveraged that confidence and knowledge of auto racing’s intricacies to become one of the most influential people at NASCAR.
Read the full article at Sports Business Journal here.
Porsche Penske’s Apple Music Livery Unlocks New Sponsor ROI in Racing’s Renaissance
Porsche Penske Motorsport has unveiled a striking one-off Apple Music livery on its two Porsche 963 prototypes for the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. The special livery extends their seven-year automotive partnership with Apple Music into a high-visibility track activation. Vantage explains why Apple committed to sponsor a race car during what they call “Racing’s Renaissance.” Read the full column here.
Why Riders’ Nationalities Have Become a Problem for Liberty Media in MotoGP
More than 40% of the riders in MotoGP are Spanish, a figure that rises to almost 60% when Italians are added. Having a different passport scores double under the new concept of entertainment that Liberty Media wants to imprint on the championship, Autosport explains.
Quick Takes on the Business of Motorsport This Week
New Perth Street Circuit and More
- VistaJet, XO set Miami Formula 1 VIP hospitality (Private Jet Card Comparisons)
- Refinements to the 2026 FIA Formula 1 regulations agreed by all stakeholders (FIA)
- 2026 F1 Regulation Amendments: What Changes, What Doesn’t, and the Hidden Risk at the Start Line (DB Motorsport)
- Miami’s six-week sprint from F1 circuit to World Cup venue (Sector)
- Comeback kid: The commercial value Pierre Gasly brings to F1 (Sector)
- Indy 500 entry list gets to 32 with Abel (RACER)
- 78-year Indy 500 streak hanging by a thread, and Bump Day is in trouble (Beyond the Flag)
- BeIN adds to motorsport portfolio with WEC deal across MENA, APAC (SportCal)
- ‘An entire Premier League weekend in one race’: How Formula E scaled back its operations to deliver a better show (BlackBook Motorsport)
- FIA member clubs convene in Montenegro to shape future of mobility, motorsport (Arab News)
- Lewis Hamilton to open international chain of trading card shops (The Athletic)
- IndyCar Names Managing Director Of Independent Officiating Body (Forbes)
- Perth street circuit set to launch 2028 Supercars season (V8 Sleuth)
- New Queensland motorsport facility takes next step (V8 Sleuth)
- ‘Bloomberg House Miami’ Launches Around Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix (Inside Radio)
- How Sustainable is Saudi Investment in Sport (Global Sustainable Sport)
- What next for LIV Golf and sport’s relationship with Saudi Arabia? (SportsPro)
- The Saudi Sports Bubble is Bursting (Sports Politika)
- FORMULA AFRICA Releases First Motorsport Industry White Paper (Formula Africa)
- Zak Brown: The Unreasonable Man (Business of Speed)
- Behind the Scenes: Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach (PRI)
- Drive to Survive: The Key To Formula 1’s American Conquest (Paddock Journal)
- How Harley-Davidson and MotoGP are taking bagger racing to the world (BlackBook Motorsport)
Highlights from the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup
Formula E Gen4 Hits The Track
Formula E’s Gen4 race car has hit the track, and I have all the details and reactions to it in this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup. I also have news on the latest Sustainable Championships Index results and much more!
The Numbers This Week
- IndyCar Ratings Surge For Acura Grand Prix Of Long Beach On FOX (Forbes)
- IMSA YouTube channel tops NASCAR’s in number of subscribers (RACER)
Motorsport Law Roundup
F1 Drivers Facing Tax Crackdown by New Italian Laws
Formula 1 drivers past and present could be at risk following an investigation into athletes’ tax declarations whilst on Italian soil. Recently, the Italian tax authority announced it would tighten enforcement of its own regulations. In turn, the Government agency is attempting to collect taxes from F1 drivers who have recently completed Grand Prixs in Italy. Read more about what the plan is going forward at Motorsport Week here.
MJ Motorsport Limited Enters Liquidation: Key Insights for Distressed Business Buyers
The UK motorsport sector has been dealt another blow with the liquidation of MJ Motorsport, highlighting the ongoing financial pressures facing teams and suppliers across the industry. The case offers a closer look at the challenges behind the scenes, from rising operational costs to the fragile economics of competitive racing.
For a full breakdown of what led to the company’s collapse and what it means for the wider motorsport landscape, read the original article here: https://administrationlist.co.uk/insights/news-mj-motorsport-liquidation
Joe Gibbs Racing’s Fast-Track Trial Is ‘Unrealistic,’ Court Told
Joe Gibbs Racing LLC’s bid to set a November trial date in a trade secrets suit against former competition director Chris Gabehart and rival team Spire Motorsports is “aggressive and unrealistic,” Gabehart has argued in asking to instead push the trial to May 2027.
NASCAR Not Required To Defend Manager In Harassment Suit
NASCAR and Michigan International Speedway do not have to defend a MIS supervisor or pay his legal fees in a sexual harassment suit filed by a former MIS security guard, a Michigan federal judge said Thursday.
Motorsport Sponsorship, Partnership News and Analysis
Apple And Porsche Reunite and More
- Porsche 963 takes Apple Music’s colours to Long Beach (Porsche)
- McLaren Racing signs multi-team Liquid I.V. deal (SIG)
- WEC vs F1 Sponsorship — Why Endurance Is the Most Undervalued Platform in Motorsport (RTR Sports Marketing)
- Hyak Motorsports Announces Associate Sponsorship for Talladega with First Bank of Alabama (Speedway Digest)
- Clearview Intelligence sponsors rising motorsport star Lewis Turkington (Highways News)
- Motorsport Sponsorship Beyond F1 (Drive Sports Marketing)
- Are luxury car brands failing women? (Jing Daily)
- Sam’s Club backs Kirkwood for Indy 500 and beyond (RACER)
The Business of Running a Race Team
The Step Up to GT3 Racing | Team BRIT’s Road to Le Mans
Team BRIT takes our biggest step yet.. moving into GT3 as part of our mission to become the first all-disabled team to race at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Filmed during preseason testing in Portimao, this film follows the introduction of our BMW M4 GT3, the drivers behind the wheel (Paul Fullick & Jamie Falvey), and what this moment means for the future of the team.
This is Team BRIT’s step up to GT3.
This is the first step on the road to Le Mans.
Team & Manufacturer News
Acura Leaves IMSA for Indycar and More
- Acura Confirms ‘Pausing’ of IMSA GTP Effort at End of Year (Sportscar365)
- Honda to apply more Acura branding with MSR in IndyCar (RACER)
- Acura Sponsors Car At Indy 500, But Pauses IMSA Effort After 2026 (Forbes)
- Ulrich Fritz Becomes Shareholder of HRT (Sportscar365)
- How Godzilla-sponsored Haas became F1 2026’s early giantkiller (The Athletic)
- Andretti Performance Set for Two-Race Porsche GS Effort (Sportscar365)
- Alpine Working on “Options” to Keep A424 in Service (Sportscar365)
- DW Evans GT to pause Lamborghini Super Trofeo Asia programme for 2026 (DW Evans GT)
- Adelson “Absolutely Thrilled” of Wright’s Early Customer Success (Sportscar365)
- Liddell: Rebel Rock’s GTWC America Debut “A Big Step” (Sportscar365)
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.
