The ACO and FIA have announced a ten-year WEC partnership deal and i have the details in this week’s Business of Motorsport Roundup. I also have details on the future of Malaysia in F1, Turkey’s preparations to welcome back F1 and much more.
Overview
Motorsport Industry News
FIA, ACO Announce New Ten-Year WEC Partnership Deal
The FIA and the Automobile Club de l’Ouest have announced a 10-year deal to jointly promote the World Endurance Championship, securing the long-term future of the sportscar racing series. As part of the agreement, the partnership between motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, and Le Mans 24 Hours operator, the ACO, will extend until the end of the 2037 season.
Under the extended partnership agreement, all regulatory processes will be overseen by FIA Working Groups, the FIA Endurance Commission, and will require the final approval of the FIA World Motor Sport Council. The homologation process has also been streamlined, with the FIA and ACO overseeing the homologation of all cars competing in the Hypercar class.
The renewed partnership will also deliver significantly increased branding for the FIA. This includes enhanced branding prominently displayed across key areas including parc fermé, the podium and the Safety Cars, as well as across broadcast coverage.
With the critical importance of the the 24 Hours of Le Mans to sports car racing, the agreement answers a lot of the concern that has surfaced over the last two weeks regarding the relationship between the two sanctioning bodies.
F1 Delays Decision on Qatar, Abu Dhabi Races Until Mid-October
F1 has announced that a decision on racing in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will now be made in mid-October. It is understood that the issue is about who pays for the cancelled races, with different obligations arising depending on who actually cancels the race, F1 or the promoters. It is as one writer called a “100 million dollar game of chicken.”
Sepang Eyes Increased Business While Debate on Malaysian Future Continues
While Sepang-area businesses are looking forward to a return of F1 to Malaysia, questions persist as to whether this race is only temporary or a move towards a more permanent place on the F1 schedule. Here is a round-up of coverage seeking to answer the question.
- Sepang’s Second Act: F1 is Returning, But Local Motorsport Never Left (The Hairpin)
- Malaysia’s F1 malaise: Why Sepang left at just the wrong time (Sector)
- Why Don’t We Race in Malaysia Anymore? (Paddock Joournal)
Malaysia, Bahrain Strengthen Security Cooperation as Sepang F1 Race Nears
With Malaysia hosting the Bahrain Grand Prix this weekend as a creative solution to F1’s Iran war problems, the two countries are using the opportunity to expand their diplomatic ties.
Malaysia and Bahrain discussed ways to enhance cooperation in tackling terrorism and extremism, intelligence sharing, drug enforcement and detection, as well as border management and security to combat transnational threats.
Turkey Prepares for their F1 Return
Turkey is preparing to rejoin the F1 schedule and with that preparation comes a massive financial investment in the race. “Backed by a direct $36 million annual sovereign guarantee from the Turkish state, Istanbul is discarding the fragile private-concession model that doomed its past and replacing it with an aggressive corporate blueprint: guaranteed state underwriting, a doubled paddock footprint, and five-figure VIP suites built over the legendary Turn 8.”
Stephen Ross In Advanced Talks To Sell 20% Stake In Formula One Miami Grand Prix To Otro Capital
Private equity firm Otro Capital wants to buy a 20% stake in the race, though the exact purchase price remains unknown. Billionaire owner Stephen Ross will keep majority control of the race and is not selling his other assets like the Miami Dolphins. Otro already owns part of another Formula One team, making this a logical investment as the racing league’s yearly revenue recently hit $3.9B.
New South Africa F1 race Proposal Emerges – Is it Realistic?
Last week I mentioned the proposed South African Grand Prix in Cape Town. The Race has a look at the proposal and the viability of bring a race to this South African region. “As a brand-new promoter and a new venue BMR has to meet a much higher bar than an existing promoter/venue in proving to F1 that it would be a suitable venue.”
What a Revival of the World Rally Championship Could Look Like
Bringing the World Rally Championship back to where it belongs. That was the core message as ex-Formula 1 team boss-turned-WRC Promoter CEO Eric Boullier outlined the vision to reinvigorate rallying’s top tier in front of the media at Rally Paraguay at the end of August. With the news that Ford is returning to the WRC as a full factory team from 2028, Tom Howard looks at what a revival of the World Rally Championship could look like.
MotoGP 2027 Calendar Revealed with Buenos Aires and Adelaide Joining the Schedule
The 2027 MotoGP calendar has been officially released, with Buenos Aires and Adelaide joining the schedule, Qatar moving up to the second round and five double-headers plus one triple-header. Next year’s schedule features several new additions and the most international schedule in the history of the MotoGP, with 22 rounds spread across 19 countries. Two new races feature in the additions of Buenos Aires and Adelaide – effectively replacing Hungary’s Balaton Park while Phillip Island loses the Australian GP.
Business Discipline and ROI Key to Supercars’ Next Commercial Era, Says DJR Chief Executive Megan Foster
Shell V-Power Racing Team (Dick Johnson Racing) CEO, Megan Foster, has outlined a clear commercial directive for motorsport, declaring that sporting partnerships must be built on measurable return on investment (ROI) rather than historical relationships alone.
Speaking ahead of her appearance at the Women in Sport Summit, Foster—the first female Chief Executive Officer in Supercars history—emphasised that sustainability requires running a race team with absolute corporate discipline.
Ministry of Sport has all the details here.
Quick Takes on the Business of Motorsport This Week
- Honda Made a Docuseries About 241.428 MPH. The Rulebook Is Why Nobody Beats It (Backfire Racing)
- Study: NASCAR lacks fan-favorites (SBJ)
- Getting the UK’s newest motorsport show off the ground (Racecar Engineering)
- Faster cars, deeper fan engagement and dystopian fears: How AI is transforming motorsport on and off the track (BlackBook Motorsport)
- The Australian Grand Prix Has Introduced Another Cost for Fans. How Far Can F1 Push the Price of Attending a Race? (Sunday’s Sponsors)
- From F1 to Formula E: CMO Ellie Norman on the challenger model for US growth (Campaign)
- ZXMoto confirms groundbreaking V5 for 2028 WorldSBK as CFMoto sharpens V4 speed (M1 Sports)
- What Won the Apple-F1 deal (Business of Speed)
- How AI in Formula 1 is shaping the future of racing (Innovation News Network)
- Michelin IMSA Insider: Motorsport Drives Bold Ideas (Sportscar365)
- Inside F1’s Original Content Land Grab (Tiggy Valen)
- F1 Business Summit Las Vegas Details (LVGP)
- NHRA finalizes media rights deal with triumvirate of partners; The CW, Flo join mix (SBJ)
- Doonan Explains IMSA Entry Selection Process (Sportscar365)
- Bringing Rally Racing to the World: How DirtFish Grew Its Motorsport Fan Base Through Connectivity (AT&T)
- The Commercial Value of Creative Ownership (Beyond the Paddock)
Highlights from the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup
Mission H24 and Toyota Collaborate on Hydrogen Motorsport
Mission H24 and Toyota are collaborating on hydrogen motorsport, and I have the details in this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup. I also have details on the Puma Gen-E electric rally car, new teams in Formula E and more.
Motorsport Law Roundup
Cadillac F1 Future Thrown into Doubt Amid New Questions Grow Over Towriss & TWG
Cadillac F1 faces fresh questions as Towriss emerges in Walter investigation – Dan Towriss has become a more significant figure in the growing scrutiny surrounding Mark Walter’s business empire, with new reporting revealing that the Cadillac Formula 1 chief has provided information to US federal prosecutors. More details can be found here.
eNASCAR Shop Says Rival Used Fake Name To Steal Car Data
A North Carolina company that builds digital race car setups for eNASCAR’s competitive simulator racing series has accused the owner of a rival shop of using a fake name to pose as a customer in an elaborate ploy to steal its data.
NASCAR Team Says Docket Error Doesn’t Warrant Default
Joe Gibbs Racing has asked a North Carolina federal judge not to hand its former competition director and his current NASCAR team an entry of default over an inadvertently missed deadline, arguing it has so far participated fully in the litigation.
“We Are Going to FIA”: Grasser Appeal Rejected – No DTM Champion at Finale?
No success for Grasser Racing Team at the appeals court of the German governing body DMSB (Deutscher Motor Sport Bund) on Friday: The Lamborghini team’s appeal against the disqualification of race winner Mirko Bortolotti for a non-compliant wheel bearing at the DTM race at Oschersleben was rejected. The DMSB officially confirmed the decision.
Nevertheless, team principal Gottfried Grasser says the team will now make use of its right to appeal the decision again and take the case to an FIA court. “We were right on all of our points,” Grasser told Motorsport-Total.com.
AASA Defendants say Benalla Club Chose to Sell
The nine defendants in the Supreme Court of Victoria case over the sale of the Australian Auto-Sport Alliance have denied all liability, filing a defense that says the Benalla Auto Club and Winton Motor Raceway set out to sell the sanctioning body and then signed the documents that completed the deal.
Owner, Pilot, Passenger: The Biffle Crash Lawsuits Will Turn on Who Held Which Job
The Biffle crash litigation maps onto FAA rules that split duties between owner and pilot, and North Carolina’s all-or-nothing fault law raises the stakes. “That background is why the lawsuits over the December 18, 2025, crash at Statesville Regional Airport matter well beyond one family’s tragedy. The case is turning into a detailed argument about a question every racing flight department answers before each trip, usually without thinking about it: who is responsible for this airplane, and for what?“
More details can be found here.
F1 Senior Counsel Position Available
Formula 1 is currently looking for an experienced commercial lawyer (c. 5-8 years PQE) to join them on a 12-month fixed term contract. The role will focus on sponsorship, media rights, and broader commercial contracts. This is an exceptional chance to work alongside a top-tier legal team at one of the worlds most exciting sporting organisations.
Follow the link to find out more – https://www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/4473221057/?trk=mcm
Motorsport Sponsorship, Partnership News and Analysis
- Edward Jones focusing on ‘money-can’t-buy moments’ with McLaren deal (BlackBook Motorsport)
- MotoGP sponsorship by category: three briefs for energy drinks, fintech and the aftermarket (RTR Sports Marketing)
- Branding at 200 mph: Formula One, Formula E, and the New Era of Sports Marketing Event (University of Oregon Alumni Association)
- Standard Chartered launches F1-inspired global brand campaign (SIG)
- The Activation Zone: Azerbaijan Grand Prix (Sector)
- How do you create an F1 experience when your brand isn’t naturally exciting? (OutLap Agency)
- PERSPECTIVES | Michael Kirtman: Building Valvoline, the Original Motor Oil, takes more than lubricant innovation – it takes people (Aston Martin F1)
- Acura’s Last GTP Race Looks a Lot Like Its Next Marketing Plan (Backfire Racing)
- Heron Preston and Formula E partner to rethink motorsport fashion (Formula E)
- Kingfisher Insurance lands ITV4 Motorsport Mundial partnership (SIG)
- THE·TEAM appointed by Honda Racing Corporation to lead MotoGP commercial partnership search (The Team)
- Racing America announces Hankook Tire as official tire partner for Trans Am, International GT and Racing America’s Formula Ladder (RACER)
- Foyt signs multi-year sponsorship extension with Hendricks Holding (RACER)
- Learning Faster: BWT Alpine Formula One Team names Apex Ultra its official AI for Engineering Partner (Alpine)
- Bridgestone Becomes Official Tire of SCCA and Club Spec, And That’s Not All (SCCA)
- Oracle Red Bull Racing extends collaboration with Memento Exclusives (Red Bull Racing)
- LN4 Fusion, Yep Ads join forces with multi-year agreement (LN4 Fusion)
- Honda confirms Red Bull return as sponsor in MotoGP (Motorsport.com)
- The New Sponsorship Premium: Why Sustainability Could Change What Sports Partnerships Are Worth (ESG in Sports)
The Business of Running a Race Team
How Audi Created a $1.2B F1 Fortress with Sovereign Cash
Formula 1’s transformation into a highly valuable commercial asset is changing how manufacturers can finance and structure their racing programs. “How Audi Created a $1.2B F1 Fortress with Sovereign Cash” examines Audi’s partnership with the Qatar Investment Authority, arguing that the investment in Sauber is about more than funding an F1 team: it provides capital for infrastructure while sharing financial exposure and insulating the operation from wider corporate pressures.
The article also places the deal within a broader shift toward shared ownership and institutional investment in F1, comparing Audi’s approach with the structures used by Mercedes and Alpine. For motorsport professionals, it offers an interesting look at the business and financial forces increasingly shaping the sport.
Team & Manufacturer News
- Random Vandals Poised for Two-Car BMW Effort in 2027 (Sportscar365)
- Super Formula Lights bombshell as TOM’S calls it quits after 39 years (Japan Racing Insider)
- Geely decision on Alpine WEC takeover expected after Fuji (Asian Motorsport)
- Iron Faith Racing Launches Faith-Driven Drag Racing Program Built on Family, Purpose, and Competitive Ambition (WBOC)
- RLL begins downsizing for slimmed-down 2027 IndyCar program (RACER)
- AF Corse Confirms Two-Car Ferrari Hypercar Effort For Asian Le Mans Series (Daily Sportscar)
- Will the upcoming JS P228 lead Ligier out of the LMP2 wilderness? (RACER)
- KRC Eyes Full IGTC Season; Confirms Macau Return (Sportscar365)
- How McLaren Has Laid a Marker in Hypercar Testing (Sportscar365+)
- Radical expands Scandinavian presence with appointment of Radical Denmark (Radical Motorsport)
- 22-car international field confirmed for Formula Trophy Malaysia opener at Sepang (Asian Motorsport)
- Citroën Racing announce Team Principal and share GEN4 livery (Formula E)
- Bartone, GetSpeed Expands to Full Endurance Cup in 2027 (Sportscar365)
- Round 3 Racing Plotting Four-Car Effort for 2027 (Sportscar365)
- W&S ready to bring new Porsche 911 to the GT4 European Series (GT4 European Series)
- Car Blanche Initially Underestimated Task of GTD Pro (Sportscar365)
- Audi confirms plans for new F1 base (Autosport)
- McLaren Racing on track to hit $1bn in revenue as chief’s pay reaches record (Sky)
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects and the host of the Motorsport Prospects Podcast. 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.
