The Las Vegas Grand Prix takes place this weekend and amidst a tourism slump, the race hopes to be a positive tourism note and you will find out why in this week’s Business of Motorsport Roundup. I also have news on Felipe Massa’s trial, insight from Zak Brown and more.
Overview
Motorsport Industry News
Las Vegas Grand Prix Enters Third Year with Hope Amidst Tourism Slump
As we head into the third Las Vegas Grand Prix of the Liberty Media era, there are some interesting dynamics in play this year. I have already mentioned how the city wants to expand the contract so they are racing in sin city until 2037 but there are some interesting factors at play this week.
Setting aside the issue of torrential rain this week in Vegas, organizers feel that they are hitting their stride in this third edition of the race. ““(This year’s race) from every metric that we use, whether that’s how it works for Formula One itself, the economic impact in Las Vegas, the reduction in logistics issues for the community, being able to get people to work when they need to go easier,” Steve Hill, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority president and CEO said. “All those things seem to be in place. Everybody is real optimistic that the race has reached a point of real maturity this year.”
One thing that cannot be denied is that the tourism in Las Vegas is hitting some turbulence with visits to the city dropping, especially from international tourists. This is something that Grand Prix organizers think that the race could help.
“After a rocky debut and a softer second year, the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix is emerging as a stabilizing force for the city’s tourism industry just as visitor demand shows signs of weakening, the head of the local tourism authority said. ‘Ticket sales have been great, input from hotels that I’ve gotten has been universally positive. Everybody seems very positive about this week,’ [Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority – LVCVA head Steve Hill] said. International travel patterns have been mixed, Hill said, with a steep drop in Canadian visitors contrasting with growth from Mexico, the United Kingdom and Australia. ‘Tariffs and talk about 51st states and things like that haven’t been helpful from a tourism standpoint for sure,’ he said, noting Canadian visitation heading into November was down about 20 per cent to 25 per cent.”
How the Las Vegas GP is Helping F1 Expand its Own Creative Boundaries
Chris Medland at Racer explains how the Las Vegas GP is helping F1 expand its own creative boundaries. “We’re giving ourselves this opportunity to commercialize a sport and engage with fans really differently. Not just because of Vegas, but it’s just given us this ‘Well, we can do it because we’ve tried it and people didn’t hate it!’ So it’s almost referred to affectionately as the test bed, which I think is helping us definitely grow the fan base.”
Break-In at Alpine F1’s Engine Facility Triggers Industrial Espionage Fears
A mysterious break-in at Alpine’s Viry power unit facility has sparked speculation of industrial espionage, as reports suggest nothing was stolen. “According to France’s Le Parisien, police have confirmed two individuals broke into the building’s entrance hall in order to enter the lobby and, once inside, made their way straight up to the upper floor where the offices of senior management and Alpine executives are located.” Read more about the break-in at Planet F1.
Long-Term Malaysia F1 Return “Not impossible” Despite Government Snub
The Sepang International Circuit hasn’t ruled out the possibility of the Malaysian Grand Prix returning to the Formula 1 calendar, despite the government’s refusal to financially support the event.
“I’m pretty sure Formula 1 will come back someday, but not now,” Sepang CEO Azhan Shafriman Hanif told Autosport. “I think the government’s effort right now is solely focusing on what the public needs rather than spending millions of dollars and ringgit to pay for Formula 1. But I do believe with the right support from corporate in the future and so on, maybe we can bring it back. But at the moment, it’s a no for us. But I do hope Formula 1 comes back one day.”
Formula 1 Financial World On Brink of Change
As Formula 1 teams continue to increase in value and Mercedes F1 boss Toto Wolff to sells part of his stake in the team to CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz, Chris Aylett, Motorsport Industry Association chief executive says that the Formula 1 financial world is on the brink of change.
“In a relatively unstable investment world, sports investments are really hot subjects right now, so there’s no question that Toto being a highly publicized seller of five per cent of the shares, you’ll find that most of the teams over the next year or two will start realizing in real cash terms their values.”
Apple’s F1 Streaming Partner is Excited About the Future and Benefits for Fans
The CEO of Apple’s streaming partner and F1 owner Liberty Media says that Apple’s partnership is already energizing fans and reshaping how the sport reaches viewers. “We have a great relationship with Apple,” Liberty Media’s CEO Derek Chang said enthusiastically. “As you know, they came out with “F1 The Movie” this summer, which did $650 million at the gate… I think it brought in new fans, and … continued the energy for existing fans.”
Read more at AppleInsider.
WEC Season In Review: $450M Budget Surge Boosts 25% Cost Efficiency by 2027
The 2025 WEC season saw a $450M rise in team budgets as Hypercar and LMGT3 grids expanded. Data analytics reveal how cost escalations are reshaping resource efficiency, parity, and financial sustainability through 2027. Vantage explains.
FIA Calls Out ‘Misleading and Defamatory’ Claims from Presidential Candidate
With the FIA officially declaring incumbent Mohammed Ben Sulayem as the only candidate eligible to stand in December’s presidential vote, with a court ruling on the election process expected at the start of next month, the FIA has hit back following a letter from presidential candidate Tim Mayer, claiming it made defamatory statements about the governing body.
“The FIA forward letter addressed to members and the briefing it encloses makes a number of serious and false allegations regarding the FIA and its governance,” wrote the FIA’s general manager, Alberto Villarreal. Our legal team has formally responded directly to Tim Mayer to address the falsity of the allegations made. The central allegation of FIA forward letter that the FIA’s current governance structure presents a reputational compliance and financial risk to car manufacturers is unfounded, misleading, and defamatory.”
Read more at Planet F1 here.
Quick Takes on the Business of Motorsport This Week
A conversation on the business of sports and technology behind the 2025 Austin Grand Prix race.
- Adweek House The Raceway Agenda in Las Vegas on November 21, 2025 (AdWeek)
- Mission Control: How Lenovo powers Formula 1’s global TV operation (Sector)
- Atlassian Williams Racing announce a Grandstand Takeover for 2026 Miami GP (Williams Racing)
- 2025 PRI Show Unites Key Motorsports Organizations to Drive Industry Growth, Innovation (Drag Illustrated)
- A2RL Season 2 ends with drama (Autosport)
- Why we’re racing robots (Idée Fixe)
- China’s Motorsports Fan Base Surges 30% as $11.39B Market Accelerates with 11.22% CAGR by 2025 (Vantage)
- Ram aiming to put NASCAR Truck Series on the map with Free Agent Program (RACER)
- Is ‘F1 The Movie’ getting a sequel? Here’s what Tim Cook and movie director Joseph Kosinski say (9to5 Mac)
- SRO Bullish Macau Grid Size Will Recover in Coming Years (Sportscar365)
- Power and Presence: The women transforming motorsport culture (The Paddock Journal)
- PPDS drives new experiential energy into Oracle Red Bull Racing’s MK-7 events venue with record-breaking 46.25m Philips Public LED wall (PPDS)
- Your Guide to 2025 PRI Show Events (PRI)
- 2025 SCCA Board of Directors Election Results (SCCA)
- Closing Race Track Is Liquidating Cars and Equipment (The Drive)
- PMW Expo Confirm 2026 Dates (Daily Sportscar)
Highlights from the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup
The DGR-Lola Concept: A Bold Motorsport Vision
The DGR-Lola Concept is a bold motorsport vision, and I have all the details in this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup. I also have news on Porsche’s new Formula E team, hydrogen in motorsport and much more!
Motorsport Law Roundup
Massa’s F1 2008 Lawsuit Will proceed to Trial Judge Rules
Felipe Massa has secured a first victory as he seeks damages for the results of the 2008 Formula 1 world championship over Renault’s race-fixing at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Massa attended a three-day pre-trial hearing in London last month as the case formally began. Now judge Robert Jay has ruled that Massa’s claims for inducement of breach of contract can continue, noting in a summary of his ruling that Massa arguably did not know he could sue until Ecclestone’s interview with F1 Insider was published in 2023.
The case will now proceed to trial, with Justice Jay estimating that Massa has a ‘real prospect of success’ on the inducement of breach and conspiracy claims, ‘because they do not require Mr Massa to have a directly enforceable contractual right’. However, the judge has rejected Massa’s case that the FIA breached its duty to investigate and dismissed his claim for a declaration that he should have won the 2008 title.
Read more at Autosport here and at Motorsport Week here. The FIA’s response to the verdict can be found here.
Two Motorsport Law Conferences for 2026
Two motorsport law conferences have been confirmed for 2026.
The Motorsport Law Conference run by LawInSport will take place on March 19, 2026 in London. Details will be announced soon.
The Racing Attorney Conference (TRAC) conference will take place April 8-9, 2026 at the Daytona International Speedway. Full details can be found here.
From Moneyball to Machine Learning: Data Analytics and AI in Sports Contracts
The use of data analytics in sport, pioneered by the Oakland Athletics Major League Baseball team, and depicted in the movie “Moneyball”, has fundamentally changed how players are scouted, valued, and utilised. What began with a then revolutionary approach of using data analytics models to drive recruitment decisions has since spread across the sports industry. Two decades later, the ‘Moneyball’ approach looks like just the beginning with data analytics now mainstream across all professional sports, shaping decisions from recruitment and injury prevention to sponsorships and fan-engagement.
This article by BCLP is the first article in their series on the impact of AI on sports, focusing on the negotiation of player contracts, while a subsequent post will focus on sponsorship deals and fan engagement.
The Art of Deal Making in Sport: A Review by LawInSport of “Fast Tracks And Dark Deals” by Michael Payne
Stephen Townley of LawInSport has reviewed the recently published “Fast Tracks And Dark Deals” by Michael Payne and he gives it a rave review.
“The book extends to 21 chapters and over 600 pages. It includes a fascinating assembly of pictures and images carefully choreographed to help bring the stories to life. I could not put it down until I had finished. At times the reader may wonder whether they are reading a fictional spy novel rather than a work of fact and informed opinion. In that regard the book provides more than just a peep behind the curtain – indeed the iron curtain! There are stories of being lobbied for deals in Russia whilst skiing down mountains. It catalogues several ironic incidents such as why doves stopped being released near the Olympic Flame and a story about Mr Ecclestone’s preferred watch brand and why.”
You can read the full review here.
F1 Searching for a Corporate Paralegal
Finally, Formula 1 is looking for a corporate paralegal to join their corporate legal team on a 2 year FTC. Full details can be found here.
Motorsport Sponsorship, Partnership News and Analysis
- From Barilla to Duracell, F1 US Grand Prix 2025 Draws New Brand Activations in Austin (Event Marketer)
- adidas & Mercedes−AMG PETRONAS F1 Team Unveil Las Vegas Collection (adidas)
- Sponsor Debrief Double Header: Mexican Grand Prix & Brazilian Grand Prix (Sunday’s Sponsors)
- How K-Pop Is Making F1 Merch Fashion’s Next Big Thing (The Paddock Journal)
- Sponsorship Stories: The Brands You Didn’t Know Were Behind the Race Cars (Speedway Media)
- Sauber honours departing title sponsor with Las Vegas livery (Motorsport Week)
- F1 launches Fortnite tie-in before Las Vegas Grand Prix (Sector)
- Formula 1 Heineken Las Vegas Grand Prix and Caesars Entertainment Extend Partnership Through 2030 (Speedway Digest)
- Behind the Wheel: Uncovering Hidden Motorsport Sponsorships (BVM Sports)
- Aaron’s Expanding Relationship with Front Row Motorsports (SI)
- F1 and Mattel to launch UNO Elite Formula 1 decks (F1)
- McLaren Racing announces partnership extension with Google (McLaren Racing)
- Java House named title sponsor of IndyCar’s Arlington Grand Prix (RACER)
- Lego to bring “different dimension” with F1 Academy sponsorship from 2026 (BlackBook Motorsport)
- Valued Sponsorship Partner Kampgrounds of America Returns to JR Motorsports for 2026 Season (Toby Christie)
- Formula 1 Partnership Network Report 2025 — individual reports for all 10 Formula 1 teams, and a full report covering all teams (Spomotion Analytics)
- American F1 partnerships reach all-time high in 2025 (Sector)
- BWT Alpine Formula One Team and SEALSQ Kick-off Quantum Partnership at the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix (Alpine)
The Business of Running a Race Team
Zak Brown Discusses How McLaren Staved Off Financial Ruin and More
It is not an understatement to say that Zak Brown saved McLaren. If you go back and watch Grand Prix Driver from 2017 or look at the livery of the cars in that era, the lack of success both on and off track were glaring. Here are two great interviews with Brown where he peers into the past of McLaren and explains how he makes the papaya cars shine.
- How McLaren Staved Off Financial Ruin And Revved Its F1 Business Into High Gear (Forbes)
- Zak Brown interview: On McLaren’s rise, keeping the team on top and papaya rules (Autosport)
Team & Manufacturer News
- Seven things we learned from Audi’s big F1 2026 reveal (Autosport)
- 2026 Audi F1 Powertrain Development Already Stopped, ‘Now Focused on 2027 and 2028’ (The Drive)
- How Audi developed its hybrid skills before even entering F1 (Autosport)
- Cadillac F1 Names TikTok’s Ahmed Iqbal as CMO, Racing Toward a Digital-First Future (Boardroom)
- Cadillac F1 Announces Two Critical Marketing And Sponsorship Exec Hires (Forbes)
- ‘Time is the enemy’ – Cadillac reveals the tight margins surrounding its F1 debut (Motorsport Week)
- A new TCR manufacturer set for reveal next week (Touring Car Times)
- Olivier Jansonnie Named As New Head of Stellantis Motorsport (Daily Sportscar)
- Prema “evaluating different solutions” for IndyCar 2026 amid financial trouble (Autosport)
- Bretzman, Faustino assigned new roles amid Team Penske engineering, management overhaul (RACER)
- Walkinshaw Group opens new Dandenong South headquarters (V8 Sleuth)
- Optimum Motorsport Brings McLaren Back To The Bathurst 12 Hour (Daily Sportscar)
- Gidley Headlines Kessel Racing Two-Car Asian Le Mans Series Ferrari Roster (Daily Sportscar)
- Land-Motorsport Parts Ways With Audi (Sportscar365)
- High Class Racing Confirm Porsche Entry For Bathurst 12 Hour (Daily Sportscar)
- Tickford Racing announces new majority owner (Supercars)
- Why Lancia is returning to WRC in Rally2 for the “magic circle” (Autosport)
- TOYOTA GAZOO Racing W2RC takes on 2026 Dakar Rally with updated line-up and new DKR GR Hilux (TGR)
- Wall Racing to make Australian Carrera Cup return with overseas driver (SpeedCafe)
- Craft-Bamboo Announces Two-Car Bathurst Assault (Sportscar365)
Motorsport Movers & Shakers
Meet the Leader Making F1’s Smallest Team Punch Above its Weight
The JA on F1 podcast recently interviewed Ayao Komatsu at the HQ of Haas, F1’s smallest team. What Haas may lack in headcount, they more than make up for in team spirit, as this engaging interview reveals. You can listen to the podcast here.
The Head of the Williams F1 Team Thinks They Can Win Multiple Championships
In a feature in Robb Report, James Vowles talks about the team’s turnaround this season despite his focus on the next.
“That history was the part of the reason why I came here. I had the opportunity to join a few teams, all at the same time, or remain at Mercedes, which is, in itself, an incredible environment. But what attracted me here is the legacy—top three in the sport, full stop. The ability to be a part of that, and, more importantly—with the right investment—bring that back into winning ways, that literally only happens, in my experience, once in a lifetime. It’s a brilliant foundation. What I didn’t want to do is just rest on the laurels of what we’ve achieved before, but rather do proud by what Sir Frank achieved, and build on top of his legacy.”
Read the complete profile here.
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.
