Porsche has dropped out of WEC, and this week’s Business of Motorsport Roundup brings you the details and the analysis. I also have a look at the finances of the Singapore Grand Prix, how Mercedes F1 made their fortune and why the election of the FIA president is a foregone conclusion. All this and much more.
Overview
Motorsport Industry News
Is Formula One’s First Night Race Paying Off for Singapore?
Now in its 16th year, F1’s inaugural night race [in Singapore] has become one of the city state’s flagship international events. But with each edition costing more than US $78 million, the economic payoff is increasingly being viewed through a wider lens – particularly as Singapore faces rising living costs and demographic shifts. Read more at the South China Morning Post.
F1 CEO Thinks Young Fans Don’t Care If Races Happen in Monaco or Vegas
Stefano Domenicali went on a podcast and said that F1 is now in the entertainment business, and that historic racetracks have value, but not enough to remain on the calendar. “Obviously, if a Grand Prix has historic value, it’s a plus, but it’s not enough, it’s an element that offers [a sense of] heritage to fans like me who have followed F1 since I was a child, but not for new fans who come to follow F1.”
Toto Wolff Calls for F1 Race Return to ‘Untapped Market’ Country of South Korea
Toto Wolff would like to see a return for F1 to South Korea, a country it last raced in during the 2013 season. “It has been a little bit of an untapped market for a while now, considering that Formula 1 has grown very strong over the last few years, particularly in the younger target group,” Wolff explained to Reuters.
“You know, our strongest growing demographic is young females from 15 to 24, and they are very active on social media. South Korea is an extremely social-media-connected country, and so it would be great if we could come back and show how Formula One has changed over the last 10 years.”
Where the Real Grand Prix Fortune Lies
Formula 1’s money machine churned $3.65 billion in 2024, and promoters are the ones fueling it. Hosting fees stretch from $20 million to over $60 million, just for a seat at the table. That number is turbocharged by annual contract escalators and government desperation for the global spotlight. Then the real game starts: operational costs running $70–150+ million per event, with infrastructure, insurance, and staffing swallowing profit margins before the fans ever show up. Read more about where the real money from a Grand Prix is made at the Business of Speed.
Apple’s F1 Streaming Deal May Be On the Final Lap
Apple is reportedly very close to making a deal to stream Formula 1 races through its Apple TV+ streaming platform — and it could be announced during the United States Grand Prix. According to a Puck newsletter by John Ourland, Apple’s negotiations with Formula 1 is finally approaching the end. The negotiations, once completed, would hand Apple the streaming rights for Formula 1 races in the United States.
MotoGP’s Bold Plan to Make Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing the Biggest Sport in the World
Marc Marquez, Fabio Quartararo, Francesco Bagnaia, Pedro Acosta, and Jorge Martín are its star riders, and if they were F1 drivers, they’d be world famous, but, instead, only Marquez has managed to break through to the mainstream, and that only by virtue of his sheer Michael Schumacher–esque dominance. That suited MotoGP for decades, but with new owners come new ambitions, and those ambitions have a blueprint: Formula 1, which was in a similar position a decade ago. Read more at The Robb Report here.
Doonan Bullish on Long-Term Future for IMSA/ACO Alliance
IMSA President John Doonan is confident that IMSA’s strategic alliance with the ACO (Automobile Club de l’Ouest) and the FIA will continue beyond its recently announced extension through 2028, and expressed support for a further step of convergence upon a single platform of technical regulations for top-tier prototype racing by 2030.
“I had an opportunity to be in France a month ago with my teammates and 13 OEMs in the room. I joked that a few years ago, we could have got a table for four in the restaurant!” Doonan said during today’s IMSA State of the Series press conference at Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta. “But now we have a full boardroom at a hotel, talking about the future. I left there very excited and confident that convergence will continue, with the hope of one set of regulations down the road, perhaps in the 2030 time frame.”
Ben Sulayem Unopposed? Big FIA Presidential Race Twist Explained
The race for the FIA presidency is shifting in favor of Mohammed Ben Sulayem, as it appears increasingly unlikely that any challengers will meet the necessary criteria to oppose him in the upcoming election. With the deadline approaching for candidates to assemble a required team, the lack of viable contenders from the World Motor Sport Council suggests that Ben Sulayem may run unopposed for a second term.
Laura Villars Q&A: Swiss Driver Explains Why She Wants to Lead F1’s Governing Body
Laura Villars first full-time Ultimate Cup Series F3R season was in 2023, and she’s currently competing in Ligier European Series JS P4. The 28-year-old Swiss is much younger than the other two candidates, with Mayer being 59 and Ben Sulayem 63. But she feels she can bring a new vision to the governing body. “I think, especially now as a young woman: why not going now to break those barriers, to defend also young people in different ways, especially in drivers? I really want to help them.”
Motorsport Prospects Announces Strategic Partnership with Race Away RPM
Motorsport Prospects is proud to officially announce our partnership with Race Away RPM, a global platform that provides full-spectrum immigration and travel concierge services to professional motorsport staff and athletes. This allows drivers and team personnel to stay fully focused on performance, while Race Away RPM take care of everything else behind the scenes.
This new collaboration marks a major step forward in Motorsport Prospect’s mission of partnering with verified, cutting edge motorsport professionals providing the services race drivers require.
Quick Takes on the Business of Motorsport This Week
- EPAM and BOSS Unveil a Revolutionary Immersive Spatial Experience, Powered by Apple Vision Pro, That Redefines Motorsport Fandom (PR)
- How McLaren CEO Zak Brown Became the Highest-Paid Executive in Formula 1 (Huddle Up)
- Meet and discover the latest motorsport technology developments at CTS 2025 (MIA)
- Karting Track Property Coming to Market in October (EKN)
- Lanier Raceway, the Georgia autocross and drift venue, to close soon (Grassroots Motorsports)
- The Death of Aura: F1 and the Taylor Swift Problem (The Motorsport Saga by Alan Dove)
- This California Facility Is a Toyota Motorsport Engineering Powerhouse (Forbes)
- SUPER GT Planning Switch to One-Make Tires in 2027 (Sportscar365)
- Racing Force welcomes industry expert Chris Neuer as US Senior Motorsports and West Coast Manager (Racing Force Group)
- Women in motorsports North America partner with Gainbridge, Michael McDowell for Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway (WIMNA)
- Michelin and IMSA extend supply agreement through 2035 (RACER)
- FF Corse to Offer Technical Support for Ferrari Challenge UK in 2026 (FF Corse)
Highlights from the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup
ADAC Reveals XT1 Regulation Concept
ADAC has released their XT1 regulation concept for GT and Touring cars and this week’s jam-packed Sustainable Motorsport Roundup has all the details. I also have an update on Mission 24, a sustainable Singapore Grand Prix and much more!
The Numbers This Week
Motorsports viewership in the U.S. last weekend via Adam Stern:
1) NASCAR Cup (USA Network): 1.544 million viewers
2) Formula 1 (ESPN): 931,000
3) NASCAR Xfinity (The CW): 808,000
4) NASCAR Trucks (FS1): 279,000
5) IMSA season review (NBC): 168,000
6) ARCA (FS2): 32,000
- NASCAR viewership drops again as 1.49m watch Kansas race on USA Network (BlackBook Motorsport)
- F1 hit by NFL clash as Singapore GP drops below 1m viewers on ESPN (BlackBook Motorsport)
- Formula E accelerates global growth in Season 11 with record audience and fanbase (Formula E)
Motorsport Law Roundup
NASCAR Granted Settlement Hearing on October 21
U.S. District Court Judge Kenneth Bell has granted NASCAR’s request for a judicial settlement conference in the antitrust lawsuit involving 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. It will occur on October 21.
“We welcome Judge Bell’s decision to bring all parties together to engage in meaningful resolution,” said Jeffrey Kessler, the lead counsel for 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports. “We remain open to a settlement that genuinely benefits the sport and its fans. The goals my clients have raised are clear, and the teams have affirmed them in their own declarations. From the outset, our objective has been unwavering: to secure lasting stability and growth for every team, their employees, and the sport. It’s time for all parties to step up and deliver.”
NASCAR Wins Fight With LGBCoin Over Racing Deal Approval
A Miami jury returned a defense verdict late Monday in favor of NASCAR in a $76 million suit by the LetsGoBrandon.com Foundation accusing the league of destroying the value of its cryptocurrency LGBCoin after it revoked approval of sponsorship of a racing team.
Zak Brown Denies Destroying Evidence as Driver Contract Case Continues
McLaren Racing’s CEO, Zak Brown, has refuted allegations of tampering with evidence in the ongoing legal dispute with IndyCar champion Alex Palou, who is facing claims of contract violation. The case, which seeks approximately $20 million in damages, has revealed contentious exchanges in court, including discussions about the use of disappearing messages on WhatsApp among McLaren staff.
A Look at the Formula E Financial Regulations
Sports lawyer Niall Geaney takes a look at the Formula E Financial Regulations. “The latest version for the teams has just been approved and published this week. These regulations play a crucial role in ensuring the long-term sustainability of the sport by promoting fairness, leveling the playing field, and fostering a more balanced and competitive environment for all participants.”
Legal Counsel – Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team (Brackley)
Mercedes F1 have an exciting opportunity to join the Legal team at Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One as Legal Counsel. This is a unique opportunity at the intersection of elite sport and business. The successful candidate will be responsible for the fulfilment of day-to-day business legal needs as well as supporting the Legal team with strategic legal tasks. Full details can be found here.
Motorsport Sponsorship, Partnership News and Analysis
- From Lifelong Partners to One-Weekend Deals—How NASCAR Sponsorship Lost Its Soul (Essentially Sports)
- Red Bull Sponsorships Swell to €1 Billion, Holding Down Profit (Bloomberg)
- Improving Timing, Not Guessing: AI for Sponsorship Trend Prediction (Ken Ungar)
- Shoosmiths partners with Extreme H as official legal services provider for world’s first hydrogen motorsport (Shoosmiths)
- Volcan de mi Tierra named the Official Tequila of Formula 1 (Formula 1)
- Sponsors: The lifeblood of motorsport and the Toyota GR Cup (The Citizen)
- Michelin Named Official Tire of Apex One Endurance Series (Sportscar365)
- F1 deal increases brand preference for Lenovo (Sport Business Sponsorship)
- Formula 1 and Amelia Dimoldenberg to launch original series ‘Passenger Princess’ (Formula 1)
- Industry Insights: Sponsorship Consultant Ken Ungar (PRI)
- Porsche agree major TDK tech deal as Tag Heuer steps back as title sponsor
- TDK’s big new deal with Porsche Formula E team explained (The Race)
- Extreme H looks to expand sponsorship programme with Vmatch collaboration (BlackBook Motorsport)
- Charles Leclerc takes a moment at the launch of Chivas Regal Crystalgold (Esquire Middle East)
- Motorsport as a business engine: the ultimate guide to sponsorships that work (RTR Sports Marketing)
- Goodyear Extends $25M NASCAR Deal With 64% Fan Recognition (Vantage)
The Business of Running a Race Team
How Mercedes Turned Formula 1 Racing Into a $6 Billion Business Empire
A recent filing from the Mercedes Formula 1 team shows $853 million in annual revenue, record profits, and a $134 million dividend paid to the team’s three owners. Huddle Up explains how they got there.
Team & Manufacturer News
- Porsche To Withdraw From Hypercar (Daily Sportscar)
- Major WEC blow as Porsche announces exit (The Race)
- Insight: The Fallout of Porsche’s WEC Hypercar Exit (Sportscar365+)
- The bigger problems exposed by Porsche’s WEC exit (Autosport Plus)
- IMSA’s AO Racing considering expansion, possibly into IndyCar (Motorsport Week)
- AO to Continue With GTD Pro, LMP2 Efforts in 2026 (Sportscar365)
- Haas F1 reveal profit of UK£6.5m in 2024 (BlackBook Motorsport)
- The Andretti/Coyne IndyCar relationship explained (RACER)
- The DTM Will Introduce a Bespoke GT3 Tyre Next Year (Racecar Engineering)
- Inception Racing Back Again With Ferrari For 2026 WeatherTech Championship Season (IMSA)
- Cadillac Appoints Jeromy Moore As LMDh Chief Engineer (Daily Sportscar)
- New Ferrari team Zagame Autosport confirmed for GT World Challenge Australia (SpeedCafe)
- AF Corse Adds Fourth 296 To GT Open Finale Field (Daily Sportscar)
- Czabok Simpson Motorsport Expands into Carrera Cup for 2026 (Sportscar365)
- Ford’s $100M Hypercar Program Targets 2027 WEC Endurance Glory (Vantage)
- Ganassi expanding Indy NXT program to four cars (RACER)
- Rob Edwards embracing new challenge at Andretti Global (RACER)
- Power Maxed Racing to run Audi S3 Saloons from 2026 (Touring Car Times)
- WSR plan to begin GT programme at Dubai 24 Hour (WSR)
- Inception, Conquest confirm continuation of IMSA GTD programs in 2026 (RACER)
- The driver helping a leading LMP2 team find junior single-seater success (Feeder Series)
- Riley to Run Mustang GT3 in GTD Next Year (Sportscar365)
- Manthey Joins Endurance Cup with Two-Car Porsche Effort (Sportscar365)
- Rahal Outlines “Intention” to Remain in IMSA for 2026 (Sportscar365)
Motorsport Movers & Shakers
Victoria Thomas
In a recent edition of Enterprising Women Magazine, Kelymoss Racing co-owner and CFO Victoria Thomas explains why motorsport needs more seats and more voices in order to drive diversity in the sport further and faster and what she is doing to make it happen.
“Through corporate sponsorship, track day activations and support for our Race Forward program drivers, Be Your Own Hero provides hands-own experience, mentorship and real-world exposure to careers in engineering, mechanics, leadership and beyond.”
Read the full article of what she has to say at https://libraryenterprisingwomen.com/fall2025/70/#zoom=true,
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.
