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Rumors are circulating about a potential Formula One race in Chicago come 2026. While official confirmations are pending, the buzz is undeniable. Stay tuned as we might witness F1 cars zooming through the Windy City’s streets in a few years! For a detailed look at the swirling rumors and what this could mean for Chicago, check out the latest article from Sports Illustrated1. @Formula1, @SportsIllustrated, and all racing enthusiasts, what are your thoughts on this? Could Chicago be the next big destination for F1 races? #Formula1 #ChicagoGrandPrix #Motorsports #Racing

Is the Max/Lando rivalry hotting up? 🔥   This time next week the F1 season resumes and it could be a tantalising second half as rivalry is on the rise again in Formula 1. A quick look at recent F1 podiums and you’ll know that Max Verstappen isn’t always at the top and much has been made of the change in friendship between Max and next closest rival Lando Norris. The Flying Dutchman now also faces serious challenges from rising star Oscar Piastri of McLaren, alongside the British duo of George Russell and Lewis Hamilton from Mercedes. That’s great news for sponsors. This revival of competition among the paddock is not just a thrilling spectacle but a golden opportunity to increase brand visibility and engagement.   When a single driver dominates the F1 circuit, as Verstappen has in recent seasons, the races can become predictable, leading to less noise around the sport. While dominance tells a strong performance story, something we have leveraged through the Mobil 1 and Oracle Red Bull Racing partnership, it can make the sport a little less interesting to the fair-weather fan with viewer fatigue and decreased sponsor visibility as the runaway leader features less on TV coverage.   However, as new contenders emerge, the dynamic shifts dramatically. Close competition and on-track battles make for great TV, drawing those who want unpredictability and drama. This heightened interest translates into more coverage for more drivers and teams across the field, giving sponsors more opportunities to showcase their brands during races.   For marketers, it allows sponsors to tap into a narrative that is not just about winning but about the thrill of the chase, the fight against the odds, and the excitement of a closely contested championship.   Ultimately, more competition at the sharp end of the sport makes the outcome more unpredictable, attracting more eyes on race day and keeping existing fans even more engaged. This increased viewership can drive higher returns on investment for sponsors, making competition a key element in maximising the impact of F1 sponsorships.   #F1 #Sponsorship #Motorsports #MaxVerstappen #LandoNorris

Statistically, fans have just witnessed the greatest individual Formula 1 season in history - but how does dominance at this level affect the current and future health of the sport? I look back over the 2023 season and explore: 📺 Why US TV viewership is indicative of a wider trend 🏎 How F1 will navigate its Andretti Global problem 📈 Why weekend attendances reflect what F1 is doing right #SportsBiz #F1 https://lnkd.in/e4TuVHDc

Article of the week: Why The Las Vegas Grand Prix Is Formula 1’s Biggest Bet Ever by Forbes. The Las Vegas Grand Prix, marking Formula 1's return to the city after a 40-year hiatus, is described as the sport's biggest bet ever in a Forbes article. The night race on a 3.8-mile street circuit winding through iconic landmarks on the Las Vegas Strip is generating immense interest and hype, with high-priced tickets, sold-out hospitality access, and extravagant packages, including a $5 million offering from Caesars Palace. The event has attracted significant investment, with F1 owner Liberty Media's expenses projected to reach $400 million. Despite challenges, the race is seen as a pivotal move for F1's growth in the U.S., aligning with the sport's increasing popularity and commercial success. Las Vegas, known for reinventing itself, views the Grand Prix as a strategic move to position itself as a world-class sports destination. The article acknowledges risks, including local antagonism and the unpredictability of racing conditions, but highlights the potential economic impact and the commitment of both F1 and Las Vegas to a long-term partnership. The event is seen as a key element in F1's broader strategy to solidify its presence in the U.S. and secure lucrative media rights deals. Link: https://lnkd.in/gZqaBrb6

Formula 1 achieves substantial year-on-year growth for third quarter, earns $887m. Formula 1, the pinnacle of motor racing, has revved up an impressive year-on-year growth of 24 percent during the third quarter ending on September 30, 2023. The financial results, disclosed by Liberty Media, the series' parent company, reveal a substantial boost in income, with F1's... Read more: https://hubs.li/Q02861NC0 #Formula1 #SportsBusiness #FinancialResults #YearOnYearGrowth

Excellent episode!

Discover the secrets behind F1 drivers' contracts! Beat Zehnder, currently the Sporting Director of Stake F1 Team and former Director of Alfa Romeo Racing reveals what a contract consists of: • contract lengths; • clauses for both teams and drivers; • salaries and points structures; • extreme sports bans; • sponsorship deals Get an inside look at what really goes on behind the scenes of your favorite racing teams! For more insights, check out our Motorsport Management course: https://lnkd.in/d898eXwb #motorsportsmanagement #mbamotorsports #motorsportopportunities

🏎 The Drive to Survive producers and the Bachelorette producers must have been trading notes recently 😂 We got a bombshell in the F1 world last week, three weeks before the 2024 season has even begun: Lewis Hamilton, one of, if not the, greatest drivers in Formula 1 history, is leaving Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team after 12 seasons, six world championships, and 82 race wins following the 2024 season. His destination: Ferrari, the most iconic team in F1. The opportunity on the track is obvious, but there are also massive implications on the business side for both parties. Here are some key details: - In a sport traditionally dominated by white, well-to-do Europeans, Hamilton is a change agent, an icon, and frankly, a rockstar. His social media following (36 million Instagram followers) is 3x larger than any other driver, he made nearly $70 million last year between his contract with Mercedes ($55 million) and endorsements (~$10-15 million), and he has a dating history that would make Derek Jeter blush. - Hamilton’s dominance on-track at Mercedes has helped grow Mercedes’ F1 team from upstart to giant — $700 million in revenue last year; worth $2.7 billion. After two challenging years following new car regulations, he’s jumping to the most iconic brand in F1. - Ferrari is the quintessential luxury sportscar company. They deal in craftsmanship and limited supply/scarcity value (just 13,000 cars shipped last year; average price: ~$500k). They do not advertise through traditional mediums, and the F1 team is one of their biggest brand builders. Teams like them that use this model have a mantra: “win on Sunday [race day], sell on Monday.” The team is historically great (a record 16 championships) and boasts strong financials ($500 million revenue; $3.13 billion valuation), but they have fallen on hard times as of late and need a spark. Hamilton can bring that. - Both sides win in this deal. In addition to a chance to win his F1 record eighth championship with the ultimate brand, Hamilton gets a monster contract (rumored to be close to be $100 million per year), Ferrari’s investment in his philanthropic efforts, and an ambassador-type role with the broader company. Ferrari gets one of, if not the, best drivers ever plus major upticks in ticket sales, sponsorships, and merchandise — areas where Ferrari already commands some of the highest prices — and the team’s overall value. And if Hamilton wins, there will be even greater auto sales coming. If you're interested in reading more, read my full breakdown in my weekly newsletter, Sports Business Playbook. You'll learn: - Lewis Hamilton’s status as a cultural icon and his desire for a poetic ending to his illustrious F1 career - Ferrari’s luxury, limited-supply business model - Why the signing has the potential to return Ferrari to glory and supercharge their business off the track Check it out below! 👇

Liberty Media and Formula 1 have now 12 positive and strong 3 month periods in a row 🙌 The Q2 2024 is no exception. Let's look at the Q2 results since Liberty Media acquired Formula 1 in 2017. 👉 The number of races is 8, highest number of races in Q2 so far. 👉 Operating income in Q2 2024 is $84 million, the highest Q2 result so far 👉 Total revenue in Q2 2024 is $871 million, the highest in Q2 sor far

If you follow my posts, you know that you'll get the occasional snippet on #motorsports via Podium Life. The Formula 1 season concluded yesterday in Abu Dhabi. It was an awe inspiring 2023 performance by Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing & Red Bull Technology. I'm not sure we will ever see a more dominant season ever again in #f1. How dominant? They won 95% of the races and broke numerous records. I recommend you follow Vincenzo Landino for his insights on F1. Always thoughtfully laid out and viewed with a business and marketing angle. He also documents the numerous data points tied to their season. F1 has never been more popular. Great TV numbers, great race attendance, Netflix's Drive to Survive and more expansion on the horizon. The sport has transformed into a sport-lifestyle-business brand with countless story angles and insane valuations on the 10 teams. Sponsors are lining up to be involved. But. And here is where my take may get a little hot. Was this the most boring season in the history of F1? I think so. And what happens when the quality of the product on-track doesn't align to the hype of the F1 #marketing machine? Will there be a lagging indicator of disengagement? My guess is someone at F1 is keeping an eye on this, but I'm concerned we will see some bumps in the road for this machine. Not that Max and Red Bull will mind. Thoughts?