Another year of opportunity has arrived, yet uncertainty appears to linger in the background of most motorsport series’ preparations.
Nascar has lost one of its most senior figures in the fallout from a bruising legal battle with two of its teams, while MotoGP begins its first full season under new ownership without one of its most influential decision-makers.
Meanwhile, Formula One is waiting to find out if its new technical regulations will deliver the on-track action it hopes for, and Formula E finds itself in a transition year ahead of its Gen4 era.
With all that in play, BlackBook Motorsport looks at the key questions facing the motorsport industry in 2026.
1. How will Nascar evolve following legal settlement?
In December, Nascar decided to settle with 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports (FRM), bringing an end to a year-long legal battle with the teams. While the terms were not disclosed, it is estimated that Nascar paid anywhere between US$36.5 million and US$182.5 million to close the case, according to Sports Business Journal (SBJ).
The settlement also granted the teams permanent charters, which signals a significant and lasting shift in the Nascar landscape. That said, had the teams prevailed in court the outcome could have been far more damaging for the series. In that context, this compromise seemingly represents a best-case scenario.
It’s also no huge surprise to that Steve Phelps will step away by the end of January. A series of unsavoury text messages released during the court proceedings put him on under increased scrutiny and raised questions about his leadership. While his departure has been framed as a personal decision, it comes just nine months after he was named Nascar’s first-ever commissioner and weeks after the antitrust trial was settled.
And what of the playoffs? Nascar is looking to change a format that has looked increasingly outdated, but it remains unclear which route the series will take.
Nascar may look very different in 2026. However, it may now be in a stronger collective position with increased power for the teams and a fairer, more competitive system for deciding its champion.
23XI Racing co-owner Michael Jordan secured a major legal win both for his team and the wider Nascar grid after permanent charters were granted as part of the final settlement (Image credit: Getty Images)
2. Will new regulations be a backwards step for F1?
Despite more positive momentum over the past few seasons, Formula One enters 2026 uncertain whether it has made the right call with its new set of technical regulations.
The coming campaign will bring smaller cars, a greater reliance on battery power and a revamp of aerodynamics, all designed to produce better on-track racing. Yet, Formula One’s commercial boom has, to some extent, masked the lack of entertainment many races have delivered in recent years.
In this context, it appears that the quality of the on-track product is not imperative to the series’ wider success – but how long can that remain the case?
Formula One has also simplified the language around the new regulations in an effort to avoid alienating new fans with technical jargon. For instance, the outgoing Drag Reduction System (DRS) is being replaced by a manually activated overtaking aid, initially called ‘Manual Override Mode’ (MOM) before being renamed simply as ‘Overtake Mode’.
Simplifying the technical language is one thing, but the emergence of a single dominant team under the new regulations – like Mercedes in 2014 – could prove damaging for a sport currently at the peak of its popularity.
3. What will the first full season of Liberty ownership look like in MotoGP?
Those expecting a sweeping overhaul in MotoGP akin to that delivered by Liberty Media in Formula One are, so far, probably feeling disappointed, particularly as the existing management structure at commercial rights holder Dorna Sports will remain in place under long-serving chief executive Carmelo Ezpeleta.
Certain small changes have been introduced, such as some downplaying of the Moto2 and Moto3 categories and revised pre-race ceremonies. These moves bring MotoGP closer to how Formula One operates, but it is unclear whether they are being driven by Liberty or if it’s Dorna anticipating what Liberty wants to see.
If it’s the latter, then Liberty’s approach has been far more hands-off than many predicted. However, with the departure of chief commercial officer Dan Rossomondo at the start of this year, MotoGP could look very different in 2026.
Rossomondo was central to MotoGP’s recent rebrand, as well as the series’ push to embrace the American market, meaning his exit is likely to have a major impact on the championship’s day-to-day running. The big question now is who replaces him – and whether that appointment signals a change in how closely Liberty intends to steer the sport.
MotoGP’s visit to Misano last season saw drivers stand in prearranged spots before the race, mirroring Formula One’s pre-race theatrics (Image credit: Getty Images)
4. What’s going on with the sale of WRC Promoter?
In June 2025, it emerged that private equity firm EQT Partners was weighing up a UK£500 million (US$675.8 million) takeover bid for WRC Promoter. The International Automobile Federation (FIA) officially opened a tender process in August, but there has been no further public update since.
Currently, the FIA is working with WRC’s existing owners Red Bull and KW25 to secure long-term investment in the the championship at a time when the calendar is already close to capacity.
WRC Promoter’s event director Simon Larkin told BlackBook Motorsport in 2024 that the current 14-race schedule is just one event short of the maximum the series would consider, adding that “it is not a priority for [WRC] to expand for the sake of it.”
A major focus for WRC and any new owner will be establishing a rally in the US, following failed plans to do so this season. Successfully entering the American market would significantly strengthen the championship’s global footprint.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem also confirmed to Autosport that the new ownership contract could run for at least 25 years and that funds generated from the sale would be reinvested back into the championship.
The question is whether this will be enough to encourage Hyundai to commit to WRC for 2027. Clarity on the championship’s ownership direction is needed sooner rather than later if WRC is to build confidently for the future.
Hyundai has an uncertain future in WRC having not yet committed to the championship’s next set of regulations from 2027 (Image credit: Getty Images)
5. How will F1’s move to Apple in the US change its broadcast rights strategy?
Starting this year, Apple TV+ will air every Formula One practice and qualifying session, sprint race, and Grand Prix at no additional cost to subscribers, who will also gain access to F1 TV Premium.
All practice sessions will be available for free, as will selected races throughout the season in a bid to improve accessibility in what remains a significant growth market for the sport.
Could this become the blueprint for how Formula One structures its broadcast rights deals in future? The first few seasons of the five-year, US$750 million deal with Apple will be critical in assessing the effectiveness of this model.
In the short term, the move to Apple is set to have a negative impact on US viewership, as fans will need to migrate to a new platform after eight years watching Formula One on ESPN’s networks.
ESPN’s final season was particularly strong, averaging 1.32 million viewers in 2025. Matching those numbers immediately will be difficult for Apple, placing increased importance on shoulder programming, storytelling and platform-wide promotion to drive wider awareness and maintain audience momentum for the series in the US.
And could this awareness be boosted by the addition of the US-based Cadillac team this season? It will take the new outfit time to get up to speed in Formula One, so don’t be surprised if it runs towards the back for much of the year. That said, the long-term upside in the US market could be significant if the team begins to move towards the front of the field.
6. Does sustainability still carry enough weight to impact fans?
Formula E has long positioned itself as the standard-bearer for sustainable motorsport, balancing on-track entertainment with fan education. Yet, there are doubts in some circles whether that purpose-led positioning has translated into widespread popularity, even if the series claims a global fanbase of 422 million – a figure shaped more by cumulative reach than deep, habitual fandom.
The championship appears aware of this challenge, which helps explain its increasing focus on improving on-track performance. Encouraging environmental consciousness is admirable, but sustainability alone has not proven to be a sufficient commercial growth engine.
The upcoming Gen4 era, which begins next season, represents a significant performance leap and could help reverse Formula E’s financial fortunes following record losses of €78.3 million (US$92.2 million) in its most recent accounts.
Sustainability will always remain core to Formula E’s identity, but its role within the series’ marketing mix is likely to evolve once the Gen4 era gets underway. Indeed, as political and regulatory momentum around climate policy fluctuates – particularly with Donald Trump in office – performance seems set to take on greater prominence as a fan acquisition tool.
7. What new frontiers will motorsport embrace?
To remain relevant and attract new fans, motorsport series must consider expanding into new markets – and 2026 will see several significant moves in that direction.
Formula One will race on the streets of Madrid for the first time, Formula E adds a third event in China, MotoGP returns to Madrid, while Nascar and IndyCar head to San Diego and Arlington, respectively. But what comes next?
Formula One has made no secret of its desire to race in Africa, so could the long-rumoured deal with Kyalami Circuit in South Africa finally come to fruition in 2026? There have also been discussions with Thailand around hosting a street race in Bangkok, a move reportedly being targeted for 2028.
With Liberty now at the helm, MotoGP is expected to prioritise greater exposure in the US, potentially revisiting earlier talks with Flatrock Motorsports Park in Tennessee for a second race on American soil.
In contrast, IndyCar stages all but one of its races in the US and will likely look abroad for its next big event. It seems increasingly inevitable that the championship adds Mexico City to its calendar, while there are also expectations of a new race in the northeast of the US soon.
Meanwhile, Nascar’s international ambitions face a short-term setback with the loss of its Mexico City race after just one year. Still, the series remains committed to proving its relevance beyond the US – and returning to Mexico could help support broader global expansion plans.
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