Motorsport is facing uncertainty as the Middle East has been racked with conflict and you will find out the latest in this week’s Business of Motorsport Roundup. I also have news on a potential return of MotoGP to India, the latest motorsport legal news and more.
Motorsport Industry News
Motorsport Faces Uncertainty Amid Middle East Conflict
The conflict in the Middle East between the United states, Israel and Iran is having repercussions on international motorsport. The WEC season-opener has been canceled and MotoGP looks to be the next series to cancel its Middle East round. As for Formula 1, they only race in the region in April but the way things are going with the conflict, those races could be canceled with no replacements intended. The FIA says they are closely monitoring the situation and safety will be the guiding factor in their decisions but the conflict is definitely affecting Formula 1’s bottom line.
More On Apple’s F1 Plans
Last week I posted some articles on Apple’s F1 plans. As we are on the eve of the first race of the 2026 season, here is a bit more detail about what they have planned and why.
How Formula 1 Generates Revenue
If you ever wondered how Formula 1 generates its revenue, here are a few articles that get into the details.
IndyCar Just Gave Honda and Chevrolet Something No Series Has Ever Offered
Earlier this month, IndyCar President Doug Boles announced multi-year contract extensions with both Chevrolet and Honda, locking in the series’ engine supply through at least 2030. But the headline goes beyond the length of the deal. The real story is the structure. Starting in 2028, each manufacturer receives a transferable charter, a guaranteed grid entry that functions as a financial asset, one that appreciates alongside the series itself.
Vincenzo Landino of The Business of Speed explains how this cemented the commitments of the current engine manufacturers while giving them a financial stake in the series.
Adding Northeast Race on IndyCar’s Radar
IndyCar has visited potential race venues in the Northeast of the U.S., according to president Doug Boles, an indication that the series is considering getting that part of the country back on its schedule.
“Trying to add big new events is super important and we continue to visit different places,” Boles said. “… The biggest challenge is, as we add races to our schedule, we want to add races that are an event — so there are a lot of places we could just go and have a race but we have 17 races, 18 now with D.C., and in order for us to really either add to our schedule or replace something, it needs to be a true event. So it’s more than just: ‘Is this a place we can race?’ because there’s a lot of those places.”
MotoGP Set for India Comeback? UP Signs Big Deal to Revive Buddh Circuit
Uttar Pradesh’s State Transformation Commission has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with motorsport consultancy AVW Global, founded by former rider Karel Abraham, to revive international motorcycle racing in India. This strategic partnership aims to re-establish the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida as a premier destination for top-tier events, specifically targeting the return of MotoGP and the hosting of the Asia Road Racing Championship (ARRC).
Will NASCAR Get Michael Jordan Boost From 23XI’s Historic Start?
NASCAR is getting its biggest dose yet of Michael Jordan the team owner thanks to Tyler Reddick’s historic start to the 2026 season. Reddick’s success, and the increased spotlight on Jordan, has not translated to a significant TV ratings bump for NASCAR yet.
Quick Takes on the Business of Motorsport This Week
How a Circuit is Homologated and More
Highlights from the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup
Racing Bulls F1 Unveil Groundbreaking Fuel Cell plant
Racing Bulls F1 have unveiled a groundbreaking sustainable fuel cell plant, and I have the details in this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup. I also have details on how F1 is driving sustainability on and off the track and more!
The Numbers This Week
IndyCar Starts the Season and F1 on a High
Motorsport Law Roundup
McLaren and Chip Ganassi Reach Final Settlement Over Palou Court Case
McLaren has reached a final settlement with Chip Ganassi Racing after the London High Court ruled against Alex Palou and CGR during the long-running dispute. McLaren CEO Zak Brown said: “I’m very pleased that we have reached a final settlement with Chip Ganassi Racing after a UK judge ruled in our favour in January.”
Judge Grants Limited Restraining Order Against Gabehart
Following up from last week, Chris Gabehart is allowed to continue working for Spire Motorsports, but without overlap per the ruling of U.S. District Judge Susan Rodrigiuez. The ruling came Monday in response to the temporary restraining order sought by Joe Gibbs Racing. Gibbs argued that Gabehart is performing the same role for Spire Motorsports (which includes the No.71 entry for Michael McDowell, main image), listed as chief motorsports officer, as he was for Gibbs as competition director. Avoiding the overlap, or not performing the same duties at Spire, was important for Judge Rodriguez, which is why she limited the granting of the restraining order.
Meanwhile, Joe Gibbs Racing has filed a motion for expedited discovery while Gabehart claims dysfunction at Joe Gibbs Racing in his legal defense.
NASCAR’s Kyle Busch Settles $8.5M Insurance Suit
NASCAR driver Kyle Busch and his wife reached a settlement with their life insurer and its producer after accusing them in North Carolina federal court of causing them to lose over $8.5 million via complex life insurance products.
Sports Law White Paper: Professional Sports Investment (US/CA/EU)
Professional sports teams in the United States, Canada, and Europe have become a mainstream institutional asset class over the past decade. For investors, however, team equity is not a generic private equity position: it is an investment inside a league ecosystem, with different legal architectures, regulatory constraints, and economic dynamics by region and sport. JD Supra has an article authored by Kaufman & Canoles that outlines the structures and issues that most often drive risk allocation, valuation, and documentation in US, Canadian, and European team investments. You can read it here.
The Legal Issues Revving Up Motorsports
The Victorian Bar Association is holding an in-person event that will also be available online via livestream on The Legal Issues Revving up Motorsports. It takes place 14 April 2026 05:30 PM AUS Eastern Standard Time. More details can be found here.
Why It’s the Right Time to Sponsor MotoGP and More
The Business of Running a Race Team
Laurent Mekies: “My Job is to Protect Red Bull’s DNA, Not to Change It”
Sitting down with Autosport ahead of a brave new era for Red Bull and its in-house F1 power unit programme, team principal Laurent Mekies has opened up on his approach picking up the baton left by Christian Horner.
“The team has been fantastic. They had all gone through an epochal change, yet I was welcomed in an incredible way. After a few months, I realised that my job is certainly not to change the foundations of the team, but to protect its competitive DNA: here, everything is done to make the car faster. The rest matters little.”
Read the full interview here.
Team & Manufacturer News
How Buzz MK Racing Joined the Grid and More
