Labcardi’s Post

The 2024 calendar's curtain drop with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix may be the last one for current Formula 1 owner Liberty Media. Saudi Arabia is looking to price Formula 1 at $20 Billion. Liberty Media purchased Formula 1 from CVC in 2016 for $8 billion of enterprise value, which it had bought for $1.7 billion in 2006 and grew fourfold in a decade. In my last week's post, I brought that up as a question as to how Saudi Arabia or UAE would react to Qatar Investment Authority picking a 30% stake in the Audi F1 Project. 🔗 Read More here: https://lnkd.in/dJvgKWyx? Bahrain's #SovereignWealthFund Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company ("Mumtalakat") owns McLaren Group including the racing arm. 🔗 Read More here: https://lnkd.in/dwAPceXm? F1 and #SaudiArabia: 🏎️ A title sponsorship deal between aramco and Aston Martin F1 Team until 2028 along with a 20% stake in the team. 🏎️ Global partnership deal between #aramco and F1. 🏎️ Qiddiya | القدية F1 circuit near Riyadh to be developed at an expense of $500 Million will end up as the longest and fastest circuit on the calendar. 🏎️ The season opener of the F1 Academy all-women's race series was held in Jeddah. 🏎️ Best F1 event in the region award to stc Saudi Arabia Grand Prix. The Bottomline: 🏎️ Saudi Arabia is trying to turn itself into the 'Sports Capital of the World' and leaving no stone unturned for its mega plan of Saudi Vision 2030. 🔗 Saudi Arabia investing heavily in sports: https://lnkd.in/diFQzGBm 🏎️ The valuation of $20 Billion may not be enough for an entire buyout given how popular the sport has turned out after the partnership with Netflix for the show Drive to Service. 🏎️ Saudi Arabia is known to throw capital at the problems but their best shot would be picking a majority stake in F1 while letting a minority one with Liberty media and let them run the show. 🏎️ The investment may not be directly from Saudi Arabia but the asset would be held either by Public Investment Fund (PIF) or Aramco. 🏎️ Saudi Arabia last hinted at investing ~$5 Billion in the Indian Premier League India valuing it at $30 Billion and recently hosted #IPL Auction in Jeddah. Related Posts: 🔗 SA emulating #UAE playbook: https://lnkd.in/de9ERQh9 🔗 Major Global SWFs: https://lnkd.in/drZ9tvGr? I am Faraz Wadhwania, I write about #MiddleEast once a week usually on Sunday Info Source: Bloomberg News

Chinese Car Brands Are Accelerating Their Sports Partnerships Strategies. It’s surprising that, given the prestige of the tournament, the EPCR has only now signed its first automotive partnership deal with CHERY, the third-largest car brand in China. Up until now JLR has been the leading automotive brand in rugby sponsorship, backing the World Cup, The B&I Lions Tour and the 7s Series. Is their latest rebrand a sign they are shifting away from sports sponsorships altogether? Earlier this summer we saw another Chinese brand BYD sponsor the Euros, pushing out a long-standing partnership with VW. It’s clear there is an ongoing strategy by Chinese car brands to increase their global presence, particularly in new regions. With a focus on advanced technology, innovation and competitive pricing, these Chinese brands are positioning themselves as formidable competitors in the automotive industry. It’s clear that sports sponsorship is a key part of their broader strategy to increase visibility and recognition worldwide. At DUNE | 23 , we saw the trends unfolding, brokering a deal earlier this year between the Chinese car brand GWM TANK Saudi and CaB SPORTS FZ LLE for an exciting OCR event in AlUla, KSA. At DUNE | 23, we specialize in identifying the right opportunities for brands to make a lasting impact. #DUNE23 #CommercialPartnerships #Chery #BYD #JLR #Jaguar #GWMTank

Just finished reading "The Formula: How Rogues, Geniuses, and Speed Freaks Reengineered F1 into the World's Fastest-Growing Sport" by Joshua Robinson and Jonathan Clegg. This book dives deep into the evolution of Formula 1, from the early days of the "petrolheads" to the unforgettable last GP of 2021 in Abu Dhabi when Verstappen became World Champion. The final chapters shed light on how F1 transformed into a global phenomenon under the ownership of Liberty Media. Highly recommend if you’re interested in motorsport, engineering, or simply fascinated by the intricate world behind one of today's fastest-growing sports.

🚨 Could F1 Be Heading Back to Africa? 🏁🌍 The excitement is building as talks of Formula 1's return to Africa intensify! Sir Lewis Hamilton recently shared his thoughts, saying: “It’s my dream to see F1 return to Africa... the continent has a rich motorsport history, and it's where so much talent has come from." Could this be the beginning of a new chapter for F1 in Africa? Check out our latest article on the potential for a race in Africa and what it could mean for the sport’s future! https://lnkd.in/dqUE2uXg #F1 #Formula1 #F1Africa #LewisHamilton #Motorsport #AfricanRacing #DreamReturn #F1News #MotorsportHistory"

🔴 𝗔𝘁𝗵𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗖𝗹𝘂𝗯 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀 𝗢𝗳𝗳 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝘁𝘆𝗹𝗲! ✈️ Vueling Airlines and Athletic Club have unveiled the team’s first-ever personalised aircraft, featuring iconic player images and the club’s crest. This unique A320 will debut on the Lions’ journey to Istanbul for their Europa League clash against Fenerbahçe SK. Discover how this innovative partnership boosts Athletic Club's visibility across Europe and strengthens their connection to fans worldwide. 👉 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: https://lnkd.in/dPq-2XhW 🎥 Source of the video: Vueling & Athletic Club | Avión personalizado 2024/25 | Athletic Club via Athletic Club on YouTube. https://lnkd.in/dpvErrCc #FootballBusiness #Football #Business #SportsMarketing #Sponsorship #AthleticClub #Vueling #EuropaLeague #FootballMarketing

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

🏎️ Qatar GP Qualifying Insights | Fastest Sectors 🏁 Qualifying at the Lusail International Circuit is all about speed and precision! The circuit's layout, with its mix of fast sweeping corners and long straights, demands optimal balance and careful tire management. 🇶🇦 Here's how the top teams performed in qualifying: 🔵 Red Bull Racing dominated Sector 1, excelling in straight-line speed and fast corners. 🟢 Mercedes was unbeatable in Sector 2 and Sector 3, showcasing strong pace through low and medium-speed corners, as well as technical sections. ⚙️ Qatar GP rewards teams that can bring both, raw power and cornering efficiency! #F1 #Formula1 #QatarGP #Motorsport #DataAnalytics

The countdown to the Qatar Grand Prix is on and motorsport fans around the globe are preparing for a dramatic close to the Formula 1 season.  But what makes #F1 and #MotoGP such powerful platforms, not just for thrilling races but for groundbreaking sports marketing? David Rothenhaeuser recently explored the power of sports marketing in motorsport, uncovering how these global events captivate audiences and provide unmatched opportunities for brands to connect with fans in innovative and impactful ways. From high-speed technology to adrenaline-fuelled entertainment, both F1 and MotoGP bring unique value propositions for sponsors, broadcasters and fans alike. It’s a masterclass in turning passion into engagement, visibility into loyalty, and partnerships into business success. Curious to see how brands are leveraging the unmatched energy of motorsport to drive growth? Read more here: https://lnkd.in/e9v6MB4p #SportsMarketing

The Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) has made a major move into Formula One by acquiring a significant minority stake in Sauber Holding AG, the entity managing Audi’s upcoming entry into the racing world. This acquisition, valued at $510 billion, will provide Audi with the necessary capital to enhance its Formula One infrastructure, supporting the development of cutting-edge facilities in Neuburg, Germany, and Hinwil, Switzerland, in preparation for the team’s 2026 debut. The move comes as F1 introduces new regulations focused on e-fuels and advanced electrical propulsion systems, marking a transformative phase for the sport. Qatar’s investment also strengthens its ties with Volkswagen AG, where it holds a major stake. Qatar’s entry into Formula One is part of a broader trend where Gulf sovereign funds have been increasingly investing in global sports franchises. Qatar, alongside Dubai and Saudi Arabia, is among the Gulf states to host a Formula One Grand Prix, highlighting its growing influence in motorsport. In addition to F1, Qatar owns Paris Saint-Germain, hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and has made significant investments in various sports, including Padel and NBA franchises. Neighboring Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi are similarly investing heavily in sports, with Saudi Arabia owning Premier League teams and backing LIV Golf, while Abu Dhabi owns Manchester City. Through these investments, Qatar aims to expand its soft power, diversify its economy, and boost its global presence. With substantial backing from the QIA, Audi’s Formula One debut in 2026 is expected to be a game-changer for both the team and the sport, with Sauber hoping for better results in the coming years. . . . . . . . . #InitiateMagazine #Initiate #Initiator #QatarInvestmentAuthority #FormulaOne #AudiF1 #Sauber #F1Investment #Motorsport #Qatar #GulfInvestment #SportsInvestment #Volkswagen #F1Racing #2026F1 #FinancialPower #SoftPower #SportsOwnership #F1Debut #LuxuryInvestment #QIA #SportsDiversification #QatarFormulaOne #SauberF1

F1 Academy reveals its 2025 calendar! 🤩 3 new tracks to discover for this new #F1Academy season! The 2025 season will start in China before ending in the streets of Las Vegas for the grand finale. There will be 7 rounds to challenge our F1 Academy drivers with some tracks we already raced on this year : Jeddah, Miami, Zandvoort and Singapore. Main discoveries for 2025? Shanghai, Montreal and Las Vegas will be new tracks to master. This 2025 season will feature 14 races with 15 days of testing ; numerous days on track that will help our drivers gain as much as experience as possible. 2025 marks the third year of this all-female series ; a series that keeps developing and growing a global interest since 2022. Sebastien Philippe: « We are more than happy with this 2025 calendar. We are proud to be a part of this growing series and to allow our drivers to grow their experience on these challenging tracks alongside Formula 1.” #F1Academy #2025calendar #artgp