F1 The Movie races to $144m box office record

F1 The Movie races to $144m box office record

F1 The Movie, starring Brad Pitt, made $144 million in its first weekend, the biggest opening of his career. It was released on June 27 before the Austrian Grand Prix and earned $55.6 million in North America and $88.4 million from other countries. The film got a big boost from Formula 1’s growing popularity, a large marketing budget, and its IMAX release, which made $12.8 million. With strong reviews and high interest, it’s already doing better than other racing films like Rush and Ford v Ferrari.

Click here to read the full article by Phillip van Osten (f1i.com)

‍

IndyCar won’t race at Thermal Club in 2026

Thermal Club owner Tim Rogers said there will be no IndyCar race at the track in 2026 because they have lost money for three years in a row. He explained that they need a title sponsor and better infrastructure before the race can return, possibly in 2027. IndyCar hasn’t shared the full 2026 schedule yet, but it still sees Thermal as an important partner. With Thermal out, it looks likely that Mexico City will be added to next year’s calendar.

Click here to read the full article by Cian Brittle (blackbookmotorsport.com)

‍

Will Chicago keep its NASCAR weekend?

NASCAR will return to downtown Chicago this July, but it’s not clear if the race will continue after this year. The contract with the city ends soon, and both sides are still talking about whether to keep the event or make changes, like picking a new weekend. There are also reports that NASCAR might add a new street race in San Diego, but the Chicago race boss says her focus is still on making this year’s event better. The race has faced rain problems before, but drivers like the track, and organizers have made changes to improve the experience for fans and locals.

Click here to read the full article by Jay Cohen (sfgate.com)

‍

Toyota GR010 reunites with iconic GT-One at Le Mans

WEC thought it was about time to give fans a closer look at the Toyota GR010 Hybrid, the first Hypercar built under the new top-class FIA WEC regulations back in 2021. Ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, there was a rare and exciting moment: the GR010 Hybrid, dressed in a special anniversary livery, came face-to-face with the legendary Toyota GT-One that inspired it. A true meeting of eras for Toyota’s prototype legacy.

‍

Where it nearly went wrong between Norris and Piastri

McLaren teammates Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri finally had their first real fight on track at the Austrian Grand Prix, and it made for a thrilling race. They battled hard in the early laps, and the ending was full of tension. But things nearly went wrong again, just like in Canada, when Piastri, the championship leader, tried to pass Norris and locked up.