Racing fuel is feeling the effects of the war in the Middle East and this week’s Business of Motorsport Roundup explains how. I also have details on how the Madring is getting ready for their F1 debut, the latest motorsport sponsorship deals and more.
Motorsport Industry News
The Madrid Model That Shows a Different Way of Building an F1 Race
Speaking to Sector, MADRING General Manager Luis Garcia Abad explains how Madrid’s new Formula 1 race is being built around existing infrastructure, commercial integration and long-term delivery.
“Unlike traditional circuits or temporary street races, MADRING is being developed using a combination of existing infrastructure and public roads, with the project designed to sit within the city rather than on its outskirts.”
Read the full interview here.
Coming to America: MotoGP Eyes US Boom as COTA Invests in Entertainment
As Liberty-owned MotoGP looks to expand its fanbase, Circuit of the Americas is embarking on its own entertainment-led transformation. Motorsport Magazine’s Adam Wheeler speaks to the key figures hoping for a surge of new motorbike racing support in the US.
“Every year this place gets more and more full. It’s cool to see the crowd slowly moving its way up to Turn 1 and the grass bank up there. It’s impressive,” said Prima Pramac Yamaha’s Jack Miller. “COTA itself is extremely proactive as a racing circuit in terms of updating facilities and changing bits of asphalt. Can’t complain at all.”
Four Takeaways from the 2026 BlackBook Motorsport Forum
Motorsport is undergoing a significant transformation. That was the overwhelming consensus across a series of panels at the 12th edition of the BlackBook Motorsport Forum, which saw over 400 attendees descend on the Mercure London Earls Court hotel. Here are the four takeaways from the 2026 BlackBook Motorsport Forum.
Lamborghini €3.2B Record Year Meets First In-House GT3
Lamborghini achieved its strongest financial year with €3.20 billion in revenue in 2025 while preparing its first-ever fully in-house GT3 race car. Set to debut at Sebring, the program highlights the proven link between factory racing and enhanced supercar brand value and sales. Vantage explains.
Global Fuel Crisis Starting to Affect Motorsport
With the conflict in the Middle East showing no signs of abating, the price of racing fuel is starting to become an issue. Here are three examples of its impact.
SRO Partners with CieloVision for AI-Powered GT Monetization
SRO Motorsports America has partnered with CieloVision to integrate AI-powered spatial intelligence into GT events. The collaboration delivers new interactive fan experiences and data-driven revenue streams for 2026, building on 40% digital growth in 2025. Vantage explains how the partnership will work.
Quick Takes on the Business of Motorsport This Week
Highest-Paid Athletes of All Time and More
Highlights from the Sustainable Motorsport Roundup
FIA Environmental Accreditation Programme: A Practical Sustainability Framework
The FIA Environmental Accreditation Programme is a practical sustainability framework for motorsport and in this week’s Sustainable Motorsport Roundup you will find out how. I also have news of sustainable racing in Japan both in race cars and on motorcycles and much more!
The Numbers This Week
Motorsports viewership on U.S. TV last week (via Adam Stern)
1) NASCAR Cup (FS1): 2.394 million viewers
2) NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts (The CW): 1.198 million
3) INDYCAR (Fox): 906,000
4) MotoGP™ (Fox): 417,000
5) High Limit Racing (FS1 + FloSports): 183,000 [92,000 on FS1 + 91,000 on Flo]
Motorsport Law Roundup
Gibbs Seeking Additional Expedited Discovery After Disclosure of Deleted Text Messages
Joe Gibbs Racing has filed a second motion in the Western District of North Carolina seeking expedited discovery in its lawsuit against former competition director Chris Gabehart.
“The deletion of these text messages justifies additional expedited discovery, which is necessary to preserve relevant evidence that is at risk of being lost before merits discovery, and to provide greater information about the circumstances leading to the deletions,” the motion states. “Expedited discovery is also necessary because Gabehart and Dickerson’s conduct demonstrates a risk of concealment of dissemination and use of JGR’s Confidential Information and Trade Secrets and delay in identifying the extent of what is being hidden risks further irreparable harm to JGR.”
Judge Wants ‘Hard Evidence’ in JGR Trade Secrets Case
Meanwhile, after a 35-minute recess last week, a federal judge said she needed more time before ruling on Joe Gibbs Racing’s request for a preliminary injunction against the team’s former competition director Chris Gabehart.
“I want to dig my teeth into this,” US District Judge Susan C. Rodriguez said. “It’s really important for the court to get this right. There is a livelihood and there are businesses on the line.”
Team & Manufacturer News
How the Leading F2 Teams Got There and More
