Apple has gone retro in their latest partnership activation with Penske Porsche Motorsport, and I give you a glimpse in this week’s Business of Motorsport Roundup. I also have details on how Formula 1 makes money and much more.
Motorsport Industry News
What are the Main Revenue Streams in Formula 1?
Silvia Schweiger breaks the graphic above here.
Turkish GP Returns to F1 Calendar From 2027 with Five-Year Deal
The Turkish Grand Prix will return to the Formula 1 calendar in 2027 after securing a five-year deal. The deal was announced by Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Friday, with its exact dates in the 2027 calendar yet to be confirmed.
F1 Mulls October Return of Bahrain Race Canceled by Iran War
Sportico reports that the FIA, Formula 1 parent Liberty Media and the 11 F1 teams have discussed adding the Bahrain Grand Prix back to the 2026 calendar, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.
If an agreement were to be reached, the canceled race could return ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix in early October, said the people, who were granted anonymity because the matter is private. That would put the revised event on Oct. 4, in between the Azerbaijan Grand Prix on Sept. 26 and the Singapore race on Oct. 11. At this point, no firm decision has been made to reschedule the race.
Formula 1 in South Africa is Now a Business Case, Not a Dream
The conversation around Formula 1’s return to Africa is shifting decisively. It is no longer only a question of whether South Africa can host a Grand Prix, but whether the country can move with enough urgency and alignment to secure an opportunity whose sporting, economic and developmental value is becoming harder to ignore.
Read more at Mossel Bay Advertiser here.
FIA Agrees with F1: “We Cannot Be Hostage to Automotive Companies”
FIA single-seater director Nikolas Tombazis targets cost cuts for the next engine formula, so F1 can have more influence over its own destiny. “”In terms of where we want to be in the future, we do need to protect the sport from the world macroeconomic situation, meaning we cannot be hostage to automotive companies deciding to be part of our sport or not.” Read more at Autosport here.
Chinese Car Brand BYD Confirms F1 Entry Discussions
Chinese automotive manufacturer BYD has confirmed that it has held talks with Formula 1‘s CEO Stefano Domenicali about a potential future bid to enter the sport. “Yes, we are talking about it.. It’s a real opportunity to test our technology.”
What’s Behind McLaren’s Fresh A-B F1 Team Angst?
McLaren CEO Zak Brown is now less annoyed than he used to be about Red Bull owning two teams, but warns it would be a “mistake” to allow Mercedes to buy a shareholding in Alpine. Confused? You should be. Stuart Codling of Autosport explains.
Business Secretary Visits Silverstone as F1’s £12bn UK Value is Assessed
Peter Kyle MP toured Silverstone Circuit and the Aston Martin Formula 1 Team headquarters on Wednesday – meeting Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali to discuss how government can further support one of the UK’s most successful global industries. Sector reports on what was discussed.
Inside WRC’s Biggest Regulatory Reset in a Generation
By the FIA’s own admission, WRC has become a “niche product” within the wider motorsport landscape. By overhauling the regulations from 2027, the series hopes to make rallying more affordable, accessible, and flexible for manufacturers and usher in a new era of rallying. BlackBook Motorsport explains how things could change.
IndyCar to Exclude Non-Chartered Teams from Races Other than Indy 500 in ‘27
IndyCar will stop letting open entries compete in races other than the Indy 500 after this season, in a move the series hopes will help suppliers plan better but could also assist in raising charter values.
The Indianapolis-based open-wheel racing series informed its industry stakeholders about the decision in recent weeks and confirmed the news when contacted by Sports Business Joournal.
Quick Takes on the Business of Motorsport This Week
F1 Has “No Problems” and More
Highlights from the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup
The Future of Formula E
The future of Formula E is just some of what is discussed in this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup. I also have details on Envision Racing’s new livery and much more!
The Numbers This Week
Nascar’s Talladega Race Averages 3.97m Viewers on Fox
NASCAR averaged 3.97 million viewers on Fox for last weekend’s race at Talladega Superspeedway. This represented a marginal two per cent fall compared to last year’s race, which averaged 4.04 million viewers on the same channel.
Motorsport Law Roundup
Gibbs Granted Preliminary Injunction Against Gabehart
Joe Gibbs Racing has been granted part of the preliminary injunction relief it sought against Chris Gabehart.
Judge Susan Rodriguez finally handed down her ruling late last Thursday night, after the initial request was filed in late February. Gibbs has been seeking to prevent Gabehart, its former competition director, from serving in what they have argued is the same role at Spire Motorsports. The organization is suing Gabehart over stolen trade secrets and looks to enforce an 18-month non-compete clause.
A New Playbook for Saudi Sport: Understanding the Kingdom’s First Unified Sports Law
Saudi Arabia’s sports sector has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years, from the Public Investment Fund’s landmark acquisition of stakes. Gowling WLG explains the implications.
Apple’s Retro Partnership and More
The Business of Running a Race Team
Blundell’s Journey from Formula 1 and IndyCar to Touring Car Team Captain
For some, Mark Blundell is perhaps best known for his five-year stint in CART IndyCar racing where he won three times and took a further two podiums. For others, it might be his time in Formula 1 where he stood on the podium three times, or even Le Mans where he tasted victory in 1992 with Peugeot.
Today, though, he runs a successful marketing business which has spawned an equally successful team in the British Touring Car Championship. Evolving from his time as driver in the series back in 2019, MB Motorsport is now in its seventh season, having gone through various iterations along the way.
“I’ve always been a fan of the British Touring Car Championship,” Blundell tells RACER. “Always felt that it’s a great platform. It’s always had competitive racing, it’s had good parity where you could come in and actually have an opportunity to actually get a result. And I think for me also, the fact that it’s got access for fans, it’s got real, true engagement is an attraction, and today it’s the UK’s premier motorsport platform.”
Read his thoughts about the transition from driver to team owner on RACER here.
Team & Manufacturer News
Signatech’s Future and More
