McLaren’s big ownership shake-up explained

McLaren’s big ownership shake-up explained

McLaren’s racing division, including its Formula 1 team, is now fully owned by Mumtalakat and CYVN Holdings after they acquired the minority shares of MSP Sports Capital. MSP first invested in 2020 with £185 million to rescue McLaren during a financial crisis, which then valued the team at just £560 million. That lifeline allowed McLaren to stabilize, rebuild, and grow into a team now worth more than £3 billion while winning major championships in 2024 and 2025. The turnaround has also seen McLaren expand successfully into IndyCar and endurance racing, a future that once looked impossible.

Click here to read the full article by Scott Mitchell-Malm (the-race.com)

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IndyCar moves Toronto event to Markham

IndyCar will not race in Toronto next season and will move the event to Markham, about 30 minutes north of the city. The change is because Toronto will be busy hosting FIFA World Cup games, ending a run that started in 1986. The first race in Markham will be held August 14–16, 2026, on a 12-turn, 2.19-mile street track with a double pit lane. IndyCar leaders said this move keeps the race in Ontario and praised Markham as a growing city that can give fans a great show.

Click here to read the full article by Gary Gastelu (americancarsandracing.com)

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Judge denies 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports’ preliminary injunction

Judge Kenneth D. Bell rejected 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports’ bid for an injunction, saying NASCAR’s promises allow them to keep competing and avoid harm until their trial begins on December 1. The teams want charter-like benefits without signing away legal claims, but NASCAR argues they’re trying to use lawsuits to gain special treatment. Bell stressed the ruling doesn’t predict who will win at trial, which will focus on whether NASCAR holds too much control over stock car racing. While both sides are preparing for court, they could still settle before figures like Michael Jordan, Denny Hamlin, and top NASCAR officials are forced to testify.

Click here to read the full article by Michael Mccann (sportico.com)

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Cadillac, Porsche get biggest BoP penalties

Cadillac and Porsche were given the biggest Balance of Performance changes for the Lone Star Le Mans. Cadillac gained 19 kg and lost 5 kW, while Porsche added 12 kg and lost 13 kW. Porsche is now the third-heaviest Hypercar at 1065 kg, just behind Ferrari and Toyota at 1069 kg. In LMGT3, BMW and Ford received the largest weight breaks, at 26 kg and 17 kg, respectively. Meanwhile, Ferrari and Aston Martin gained weight, resulting in the AF Corse Ferrari being the heaviest at 1378 kg, despite its handicap.

Click here to read the full article by John Dagys (sportscar365.com)

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Formula E adjusts Valencia test for F1 Academy drivers

Formula E changed its all-female Valencia test to Friday in October so it would not clash with the F1 Academy test in Bahrain. This allows top F1 Academy drivers, such as Alisha Palmowski, Ella Lloyd, Alba Larsen, Chloe Chambers, and Nina Gademan, to join, along with graduates Abbi Pulling, Bianca Bustamante, and Jamie Chadwick. Each Formula E team must run at least one driver in the sessions. Formula E is also planning a new support series for 2026–27 using the older Gen3 Evo cars, and talks are happening to bring back the electric NXT Gen Cup as an extra support event.

Click here to read the full article by Sam Smith (the-race.com)