The price tag of pursuing a career in Formula 1 is just part of what is covered in this edition of The Business of Being a Race Driver. I also have advice on how your social media presence creates visibility and connections that sponsors want, the sponsorship potential of women in motorsport and much more.
The Business of Racing
From the Driver’s Point of View
In the video above, Andre Jackson, Marketing Consultant for Toyota, explains how smaller teams can approach larger brands. Jackson was interviewed by Alex Striler at the 4th Annual Motorsports Sponsorship Summit on January 11, 2025.
In another video from the 4th Annual Motorsports Sponsorship Summit, Megan Meyer discusses how social media creates the visibility and connection that sponsors want. Megan Meyer is a 2X NHRA Champion, creator of Driven By Social, and founder of MotorsportsMarketingTips.com and co-host of the 4th Annual Motorsports Sponsorship Summit on January 11 & 12, 2025.
In a recent LinkedIn post, Seren Pritchard discusses how the human element is driving fan connections in motorsport. “In the competitive world of motorsports, a driver’s personality can be just as powerful as their on-track performance. Christian Mansell exemplifies how genuine, socially conscious personal branding can create meaningful fan engagement and transform an athlete’s public persona.” Read her full post here.
In another recent LinkedIn post, Riccardo Tafà looks at the sponsorship potential of women in motorsport. “The motorsport world is witnessing a significant shift towards inclusivity, with women taking the wheel and breaking barriers both on and off the track. This evolving landscape opens up vast sponsorship potential for brands committed to diversity and empowerment.” Read the post here, and make sure youn follow the ongoing discussion in the comments.
LawInSport has two great articles to help get you thinking and prepare you before you make that appointment with your lawyer. The first is on the importance of creativity in athlete brand building & trademark registration. The second is a guide to the main provisions of endorsement contracts in sport. I have linked to both of them below.
- Who’s the greatest No. 8? The importance of creativity in athlete brand building & trademark registration
- A guide to the main provisions of endorsement contracts in sport
From the Sponsor’s Point of View
Sports sponsorship agency Charge Sponsorship explains the difference between sponsorship and advertising. “Regardless of which comes first when considering the difference between advertising vs. sponsorship, they are different and have separate meanings and effects.” Read the article explaining the differences here.
The Costs of Racing
The Race looks at the road that Zak O’Sullivan has faced as he aims for Formula 1 and the costs involved to climb the development ladder. “I think it’s good, the more people you tell how it is, because it is an expensive sport – it’s expensive whether you’re in an academy or not – and it’s only getting more expensive every season.” Read the full article 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.
