NASCAR has reached a mid-trial settlement in its antitrust case with the 23XI and Front Row teams. In this edition of the Business of Motorsport Roundup, I share some analysis and my thoughts on the outcome. You’ll also find details on Formula 1 driver salaries, the growing interest in the 24 Hours of Daytona, and more.
Overview
Motorsport Industry News
Formula 1’s Highest-Paid Drivers 2025
Lando Norris may be F1 champion on the track, but it’s a different story in the race to financial supremacy as the sport’s top ten earners revved up an estimated $363 million in salary and bonuses this year. Forbes has all the details in their Formula 1’s Highest-Paid Drivers 2025.
A $76 Million Driver And A $6.5 Billion Team: F1’s 2025 Season By The Numbers
In Formula 1, the action off the track is often as exciting as the racing on it. Forbes highlights 13 figures to know about the massive business behind the world’s most popular motorsport. Read what they are here.
IndyCar 2028: The Timeline
RACER’S Marshall Pruett has spent the last year tracking developments with the IndyCar Series’ new chassis, engine, and the rest of what’s on the way for 2028, which they’re presenting in a multi-part feature. Here is part 1.
In other Indycar news, the FIA has released a new superlicence points allocation for the series ahead of the 2026 season.
WEC: Major Global Marques Headline 2026 Entry List
An impressive 14 internationally renowned manufacturers will battle for glory in the FIA World Endurance Championship in 2026, as the series looks to build on the momentum of a captivating campaign that saw no fewer than eight different marques take the top step of the podium across both classes this year. Full details can be found here.
Doonan: IMSA Had Nearly 90 Entry Requests for Rolex 24
IMSA President John Doonan has revealed the sanctioning body had “close to 90” entry inquiries for next month’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, which had to be narrowed down to a capacity grid of 61 cars. Doonan has also ruled out implementing a charter system.
IMSA Support Series Surge: Michelin Pilot Challenge Averages 39.5 Entries, VP Challenge Peaks at 33 Cars in 2025
IMSA’s Michelin Pilot Challenge averaged 39.5 entries per race in 2025, while the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge hit a season-high 33-car grid. These trends show rising class stability, expanding participation, and new GT3 momentum across IMSA support series. Read the full details from Vantage here.
FIA Shares Final Details of 2027 WRC Regulations
The FIA has confirmed the final elements of the World Rally Championship‘s new technical regulations, which will come into force from 2027. The 2027 regulations, originally unveiled in December last year, are designed to be more affordable and flexible in a bid to attract new manufacturers and teams to the series.
SBJ Sources: If NASCAR Was Ever Up for Sale, Some Teams Would Be Interested
Sports Business Journal reports that at least some NASCAR Cup Series teams would be interested in bidding to buy NASCAR should the property ever be put up for sale, people familiar confirm, following Jonathan S. Marshall’s testimony last Friday.
Helmut Marko Leaves Red Bull
Helmut Marko is leaving the Red Bull F1 organization at the end of the year after a successful but contentious stint running their junior driver academy. Here are two articles dissecting the move.
- Helmut Marko leaves Red Bull – The enforcer who made, and broke, F1 drivers (Motorsport Magazine)
- Our verdict on Helmut Marko’s Red Bull F1 exit (The Race)
Quick Takes on the Business of Motorsport This Week
- How F1 champion Lando Norris is doing business off track as well as on it (Sector)
- How F1 Became a High-Stakes Entertainment and Lifestyle Empire (Hypebeast)
- Liberty’s corporate shake-up – and how it affects Formula 1 (Sector)
- How AI is helping tackle online abuse in F1 (Sector)
- Greenlight International Announces Distribution Figures for HSR Classic Daytona 24 Hour Presented by Mission Foods Highlights Program (HSR)
- Plan ahead and add these key 2026 dates to your diary (Motorsport Industry Association)
- 2026 Sports Industry Outlook (Sheridans)
- This Deserted Racetrack Is Almost 30 Miles From the Nearest Paved Road (The Drive)
- Mercedes puts F1 customer teams on notice with bombshell development (Motorsport Week)
- World Motor Sport Council concludes year of collaboration, growth and development at every level of competition (FIA)
- Track Titan, the ‘Strava for Motorsport,’ raises $5M (Sports Business Journal)
- Right Formula acquires Crunch Communications to expand F1 consultancy group (Sector)
- Paul Hembery named Global Chief Marketing Officer at SRO Motorsports Group (SRO)
- Canadian Tire Motorsport Park Announces New Ownership Group (CTMP)
- Transforming F1: How female and Gen Z fandom is shaping the sport’s future (CBC)
- Fuji TV lands exclusive F1 rights in Japan until 2030 (BlackBook Motorsport)
- Kasey Coler Appointed USAC President (Speed Sport)
- Kevin Contardo Named Director of Business Operations at AB Motorsports (Drag Illustrated)
- Craig Baird appointed to MotorSport New Zealand’s Board (Talk Motorsport)
- IHRA And Speed Sport 1 Expand Broadcast Partnership (Speed Sport)
- Billy Deakins joins Racing Force USA as Senior Motorsports and Product Development Manager (Racing Force Group)
- The Global Motorsport Report (Sport Business)
- Parella Motorsports Acquires Racing America, Creating North America’s Largest Integrated Grassroots Motorsports Platform (FR Americas)
- VIR completes purchase of the track’s land (RACER)
- Andersen Promotions expands with Andersen Racing Imports (RACER)
- Michaella Snoeck to join Formula E as Chief Media Officer (Formula E)
- Kevin Contardo Named ABM Director of Business Ops (PRI)
- Capital Gathering F1 Abu Dhabi Edition Connects Investors and Founders (BitGet)
- The invisible race: why Formula 1 teams need cybersecurity partners (Idée Fixe)
Highlights from the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup
Honda Puts Sustainability at the Heart of its 2026 F1 Return
Honda has indicated that sustainability is at the heart of why they are returning to Formula 1 and in this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup I have the details. I also have an article on the tech behind Alpine’s first electric rally car and much more!
The Numbers This Week
- Insight to Share: Williams Secures Another Podium (Blinkfire)
- Supercars’ New 2025 Finals Format Sparks 17% Viewership Surge—and Major Championship Controversy (Vantage)
- F1 sets new U.S. viewing record in 2025 with 135% overall growth in final year of ESPN stint (RACER)
Motorsport Law Roundup
NASCAR Settles Antitrust Case with 23XI, Front Row Teams
As I was preparing the Motorsport Law Roundup yesterday, I was surprised that the NASCAR trial was still ongoing, given the number of contentious revelations already made public. By that point, the courtroom had seen the disclosure of previously unknown financial details, unflattering text messages, and convenient memory lapses from senior NASCAR officials on the stand—developments that surely put the organization under pressure.
It now appears NASCAR decided enough was enough. On day nine of the proceedings, the sanctioning body reached a settlement with Front Row Motorsports and the Michael Jordan–owned 23XI Racing. “I’m pleased to say the parties have positively settled this matter in a way that will benefit the industry going forward,” said Jeffrey Kessler, attorney for the teams.
Here are a few articles discussing the settlement. The financial details remain confidential.
- NASCAR reaches settlement with 23XI, Front Row to end year-long legal saga (The Athletic)
- NASCAR settles antitrust case with 23XI, Front Row teams (RACER)
- NASCAR, 23XI and FRM release joint statement as settlement is reached (Motorsport.com)
RLL Sues Parent Company of 2024 IndyCar Sponsor
Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing filed a lawsuit in Marion County, Ind., on Monday against companies associated with 5-hour ENERGY, former sponsor of the No. 30 RLL IndyCar Series entry driven by Pietro Fittipaldi in 2024. RACER has the details.
Adrian Sutil’s Lawyer Issues Statement After Ex-F1 Driver’s Arrest in Germany
Reports emerged last week that former Formula 1 driver Adrian Sutil had been arrested in connection with allegations of fraud. Sutil’s attorney-at-law, Dirk Schmitz, has now released a statement on behalf of the former Sauber F1 driver. “From his perspective, no financial damage has been caused to third parties to date,” Schmitz said.
Motorsport Sponsorship, Partnership News and Analysis
- What Formula 1’s Sponsorship Boom Means For The Future Of Motorsport (Forbes)
- BWT Alpine Formula One Team join forces with Avature as Team Partner ahead of 2026 (Alpine)
- Sponsor Debrief: Qatar Grand Prix (Sunday’s Sponsors)
- F1 Fever Lures Luxury Business To Bet Big On The Next Generation Of Fans (Free Press Journal)
- NEFT Vodka Adds Drift Racing Icon ‘Mad Mike’ Whiddett to Its Motorsport Roster (Fox 2 News)
- Ferrari taps S.Pellegrino for premium lifestyle expansion (Sector)
- Delivering liveries: Inside Williams’ bold new approach to F1 branding (Sector)
- IC Markets Becomes Haas F1 Team Sponsor at Season’s End, Drops “Markets” From Name (Finance Magnates)
- F1 driver who quit racing for business school announces new job to rival Lewis Hamilton (Talk Sport)
- Sponsor slams NASCAR boss for ‘shockingly offensive’ remarks (SpeedCafe)
- Paulaner to become official supplier of the future Audi F1 Team (Audi)
- Audi adds Paulaner 0.0% as F1 leans further into responsible drinking deals (Sector)
- Why PepsiCo is back with an F1 team after so long away (The Race)
- Behind closed doors: What sponsors really think about measurement (The Sponsor)
- Six Trends That Defined Sports Sponcon In 2025 (Alex Kopilow)
- Formula 1 Partnership Network Report 2025 Released (Spomotion Analytics)
- McLaren Racing Formula 1 Team Partnership Report 2025 (Spomotion Analytics)
- Five ways Formula 1 brands can maximise comms in the off-season (Sector)
- WSK Promotion and DFYNE officialize major multi-year partnership (Kartcom)
- Gulf Bank unveils its branded car as an official sponsor of the GR Yaris Cup third season (Arab Times)
- NAPA & McAnally-Hilgemann Extend Agreement (Speed Sport)
- ExxonMobil Extends Its Commitment To Red Bull Racing Academy Program (AR1)
Team & Manufacturer News
- Toyota steps up to title role as Haas rebrands for 2026 F1 season (Sector)
- Team Goh returns to Super Formula for 2026 (Autosport)
- Dick Johnson Racing undergoes management reshuffle ahead of 2026 (SpeedCafe)
- Proton’s WEC Hypercar exit means no Porsche 963s at 2026 Le Mans (Autosport)
- Ricca Autosport: Clinching Titles and Driving Forward an Expanding Legacy (TC America)
- Rick Ware Racing switching to Chevrolet for 2026 (RACER)
- Rodin Motorsport to make surprise sportscar debut in British GT in 2026 (Autosport)
- Inter Europol Competition adds second car for the Rolex 24 (RACER)
- How Mercedes turned around its turbulent first WEC season (Autosport)
- Peugeot names new Hypercar boss for WEC 2026 amid leadership shakeup (Autosport)
- GBR & Stratton Motorsport Partner Up For Two-Car AMR GT4 Effort (Daily Sportscar)
- Montreal Motorsport Group confirms IMSA program for 2026 (TCR World Ranking)
- Vanwall Planning 2026-27 Asian Effort With Upgraded Hypercar (Sportscar365)
- Relaunching from scratch: How RLL’s fresh start with McLaren presents both challenge and opportunity (RACER)
- HRT Confirms ADAC GT Return (Daily Sportscar)
- Paul Miller Racing downsizes; tweaks line-up for 2026 IMSA season (RACER)
- Heart of Racing Switches Aston Martin GT4 Effort to IMSA GS (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.
