This is the final Business of Motorsport Roundup
After today’s issue, I’m retiring this roundup, both on the blog and in the newsletter. General motorsport business news is widely covered elsewhere, and I want my time to go to what helps self-funded drivers most.
Where to find what matters to you:
- Sponsorship stories are moving to a new Sponsor Watch section in The Business of Being a Race Driver.
- Drive and seat opportunities are moving to the Racing, Testing & Seats section of the Racecraft & Race Cars Roundup.
Both will keep appearing on the blog and in your newsletter. Every past issue stays on the blog and remains searchable at https://motorsportprospects.com/category/business-of-motorsport/. Nothing is being deleted.
On a related note, the Motorsport Law Roundup will move to its own dedicated website. Details will be announced soon.
Thank you for reading. If there’s something you’ll miss, hit reply and tell me. I read every response.
Meanwhile, IndyCar has confirmed a new race in Barcelona, Malaysia debates whether a Grand Prix is worth it and Extreme H postpones their race in Saudi Arabia. All this and more in the Business of Motorsport this week.
Overview
Motorsport Industry News
IndyCar Finalizes 2027 Schedule With Barcelona as Headliner
IndyCar’s 2027 schedule is set, with changes including the dropping of Nashville and the addition of a new race in Barcelona. The 17-race season includes the inaugural IndyCar Grand Prix of Barcelona on July 18 at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, IndyCar’s first European race since 2007. The Spanish event falls between the Fourth of July weekend at Mid-Ohio and the August rounds at Portland and Markham. IndyCar’s new deal to race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya is the longest the series has outside of the Indianapolis 500, according to the series’ chief executive Mark Miles.
The US Grand Prix Struggled Before Austin
The United States Grand Prix and the lead-up to the race in Austin is a case study in Formula 1’s now-unshakeable foundation in North America. Packed grandstands and a three-day attendance of 467,000 are of course proof of that. But it was the bevy of announcements pre-Austin that underlined why the US GP and F1 are in the rudest health they’ve ever been, even amidst ongoing threats of global market shocks. The Race explains the change.
How Formula 1’s New Financial Rules Kill a $600M Stealth Loophole
Formula 1 told the world its cost cap would finally create a level playing field, but the sport’s wealthiest teams quietly discovered a lucrative backdoor: spending up to $600 million across sprawling corporate empires while keeping their official race teams artificially lean. Paddock & Percent explains how the FIA killed the loophole.
Malaysian Grand Prix: Is a Return to F1 Worth the Investment?
Malaysia is considering a return to the Formula 1 calendar, with Sepang International Circuit preparing to present its proposal to the Cabinet in November. But before committing to hosting a regular Malaysian Grand Prix, the government faces questions about the financial viability of the event, including a closer examination of the reported RM950 million economic impact generated by October’s race. How much of that benefit represents new spending from international visitors, and can it be sustained under a regular F1 hosting agreement? These two articles from Asian Motorsport explore the opportunities, economics and challenges behind bringing F1 back to Malaysia.
- Sepang F1 proposal heads to Cabinet in November
- Experts call for closer look at Sepang’s RM950m F1 impact
More Questions About Racing in the Middle East
The Dakar has announced that it will not be racing in Saudi Arabia in 2027 while MotoGP appears to be going to Qatar and F1 still seems to be waffling on the season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dahbi. Here is the latest.
- Dakar 2027 moves out of Saudi Arabia (Asian Motorsport)
- Gulf F1 cancellation rumours put focus on Mexico (Asian Motorsport)
- Crunch time for MotoGP as Qatar talks ramp up (The Race)
- MotoGP riders resigned to racing in Qatar despite safety concerns (Autosport)
- F1’s Middle East promises need a pinch of salt (Motorsport Magazine)
Quick Takes on the Business of Motorsport This Week
- Charles Leclerc named motorsport’s most marketable athlete in 2026 (BlackBook Motorsport)
- Second edition of the BlackBook Motorsport Forum USA set for Indianapolis (RACER)
- Piedmont Dragway Saved: New Owners Plan To Reopen Iconic NC Track (DragZine)
- The Business of Speed: How NASCAR’s Richest Stars Built Fortunes Off the Track (CEO World)
- Brian Flynn Named President of Sonoma Raceway (Catchfence)
- Formula 1’s CEO sees a very long-term future with Apple TV (AppleInsider)
- Standard Chartered named F1 Business Summit Presenting Partner (Sector)
- The Price of Being Seen: What Formula 1 Can Learn From Luxury’s Hangover (Paddock Journal)
- Formula 1 publishes first sport-wide Social Impact Report and renews £2.4 million Engineering Scholarship program (F1)
Highlights from the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup
Extreme H Postpones Second World Cup Event
xtreme H has postponed their second World Cup event, and I have all the details in this final weekly Sustainable Motorsport Roundup before it moves to a quarterly format as Sustainability & the Self-Funded Driver.
Motorsport Law Roundup
Joe Gibbs Racing Awarded Expedited Trial
JGR asked for an expedited trial, and the judge gave it one. Now the plaintiff is the party running short of room. On Oct. 21, U.S. District Judge Susan Rodriguez granted JGR’s motion to alter the schedule only in part, “modestly” extending deadlines while ruling that “no further extensions will be permitted.” She also denied JGR’s request for protection from expert depositions. Two days later, she scolded JGR in writing for how it has been filing evidence. Neither ruling decides who wins. Both change how much slack JGR has to find out.
New Legal Challenge Launched Against Adelaide Redevelopment
The South East City Residents Association (SECRA) has announced its plans to take the Government of South Australia to court over the Adelaide park lands redevelopment. The latest legal challenge seeks to prevent the redevelopment for MotoGP from going ahead. SECRA said an anonymous supporter from the Adelaide Park Lands Association would match donations made to the cause between $250 and $1000 until October 30.
Motorsport Sponsorship, Partnership News and Analysis
- Strategic Casino Sponsorship Agreements with Professional Motorsport Teams (AR1)
- F1’s US return sees sponsorship activity ramp up (BlackBook Motorsport)
- Bisleri International Renews Indian Racing Festival (IRF) Partnership (ASN)
- Apple Sells F1 Race Integrations to American Express and Ford in Its First Season, Now Pitching 2027 (Business of Speed)
- Activate on Sunday, engage on Monday (Driving)
- Freeway Insurance Renews Daniel Suárez Sponsorship, Adds Carson Hocevar in Expanded NASCAR Deal (Speedway Digest)
- Holeshot, grid and manufacturer line-ups: what is changing in MotoGP and what it means for brands (RTR Sports Marketing)
- In With the New: Over half of F1 team partnerships date from 2025 onwards (Sector)
- From Logo to Moment: When Sponsorship Becomes Part of the Show (Silvia Schweiger)
- The Activation Zone: United States Grand Prix (Sector)
- SharkNinja: F1 movie deal paid off enough to justify transitioning to real world with McLaren (SBJ)
- How to Value an F1 Partnership: A Framework for CEOs and CFOs (Racing United)
- Pitching Different: How SMG operates two playbooks in Austin and Vegas (Sector)
- FIA names AWS official AI and cloud partner (SIG)
The Business of Running a Race Team
Mercedes F1: The Business Behind the Success
Mercedes is about much more than winning races. From Toto Wolff’s role in building one of the most valuable teams in motorsport to the commercial strategy, investments and business decisions behind the Mercedes F1 operation, these two articles examine what makes the team such a formidable business. A closer look at how success on the track translates into commercial value and what race drivers and aspiring motorsport professionals can learn from the business of F1.
The articles offer complementary perspectives on Mercedes’ evolution into a highly valuable F1 operation, highlighting the importance of leadership, strategic investment, financial discipline, team culture and the growing commercial value of Formula 1.
- How Toto Wolff built the most valuable team in F1 (Cheeky Pint)
- The Business of Mercedes F1 (Tiggy Valen)
Team & Manufacturer News
- Eleven teams selected for the 2027-2029 FIA Formula 2 seasons (F2)
- LN4 Fusion announces FIA Formula 2 Championship entry selection (LN4)
- Kellymoss, Riley to Move into New Joint North Carolina Shop (Sportscar365)
- TF Expects to Test Corvette Z06 GT3.R Evo in December (Sportscar365)
- Thomas Fuhr appointed CEO of Audi Formula Racing (Audi)
- KCMG by Pinnacle Motorsport confirm Enzo Deligny and Hiyu Yamakoshi for Macau Grand Prix (Pinnacle Motorsport)
- How Ford’s Hypercar is Off to a Screaming Start (Sportscar365+)
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.
