How Motorsports Teams are Adapting to Survive

Formula 1 cars have so much downforce they could theoretically drive upside down on a ceiling. We're pretty sure that's not in your sim racing setup, but we've still got plenty of other fun facts to share.

NEWS FLASH

Bell’s all in on Vegas: Christopher Bell is on the verge of joining an elite group of NASCAR drivers who have won four consecutive races. However, history suggests that achieving four straight wins doesn't guarantee a Cup Championship. While Bell aims for his fourth consecutive victory at Las Vegas, only five of the eight drivers who achieved this feat in the "modern era" went on to win the championship. The outcome of Bell's pursuit and its implications for the championship remain to be seen.

Motorsport Games is in a Nasdaq time crunch! They've snagged another extension, now racing against the clock until April 14th, 2025, to boost their stockholder equity and avoid getting delisted. While facing financial hurdles, they're also seeing a surge in players for "Le Mans Ultimate" and just clinched a win in a securities fraud case. It's a financial race against the clock, but they're also seeing some green lights in other areas.

Susie Snuffs Suspected FIA Rumors: Susie Wolff, who's steering the ship at F1 Academy, is pumping the brakes on rumors that she'll be gunning for the FIA presidency. Despite Italian media whispers of a potential challenge to Mohammed Ben Sulayem, Wolff is staying put in her current role. It looks like she's laser-focused on boosting women in motorsport, and those FIA presidency rumors? Just a pit stop on the rumor mill. This news should clear the track for anyone wondering about a change in FIA leadership.

SIM RACING SNIPPETS

• Grid Finder just went full-throttle with a massive update: They've ditched the old League Manager for a brand new Community Manager platform built from the ground up. Translation: Organizing your sim racing community just became a whole lot easier.

• From pixels to the podium: Michael Romanidis blurs the line between gaming and gasoline. The G2 Esports' driver didn't just win eROC; he's now set to himself up for a real-world showdown with motorsport legends, such as Vettel and Bottas. This victory is a huge nod to the growing importance of esports in shaping the future of competitive racing.

• VRS Creator Program: Want to make some serious cash doing what you love? The VRS Creators Program lets you turn your passion for sim racing into profit by getting paid to create content and promote VRS. The deadline is March 31st, so be sure to check it out here.

MOTORSPORTS REPORT

• Mr Beast + Formula E - MrBeast, the YouTube giant, triggered a massive stir in Formula E by crashing a car during an influencer event. The crash grabbed attention across major media and was viewed by millions, sparking questions about the future direction of Formula E. Was this a media stunt?

• What's Driving Perez Now? Formula One star Sergio Perez is making moves, swapping some of his Mexico life for a swanky multimillion-dollar Miami condo. While "Checo" enjoys his new digs, we're also getting a peek at where other F1 speedsters park their fast cars (and themselves) when they're off the track.

• Grid Rival F1 Fantasy Guide: Samarth, along with Val and Josh from The Race have Michael Urcinoli from Grid Rival on to explain the 2025 F1 season from a fantasy perspective, focusing on Grid Rival’s contracts-based F1 game. Mike gave an overview of the game rules, shared strategies, and explained common mistakes, while the others discussed their team picks.

THE SPOTLIGHT

The Business of Speed: How Motorsports Teams are Adapting to Survive

Ever wondered how those sleek Formula 1 cars or roaring NASCAR engines keep burning rubber? It's not just about the adrenaline; it's a high-octane financial game. Teams are in a constant hustle to rake in serious cash, snag those oh-so-important sponsorships, and keep those costs from spinning out of control.

Think of it like this: it's not just about who crosses the finish line first, but also who wins the money race. We're talking big bucks from prize money, those massive sponsorship deals (NASCAR teams basically live and die by these), and even investments from the car manufacturers themselves. And don't forget the broadcasting rights – F1 rakes in billions from showing off those races.

• Prize Money: It's not just about the trophy; it's about the cash that comes with it.

• Sponsorships: These deals are the lifeblood for many teams, especially in NASCAR.

• Broadcasting Rights: Cha-ching! Selling those rights brings in the big bucks, especially for F1.

But hold up, it ain't all glamor. These teams drop serious cash on research and development, those high-flying driver salaries, logistics that'll make your head spin, and let's not even get started on the repair bills after a crash. Formula 1 even has a cost cap to keep the big spenders in check.

• R&D: Staying ahead of the game means investing in serious tech.

• Driver Salaries: Top drivers get paid like the rockstars they are.

• Logistics: Moving the whole show around the globe? That ain't cheap.

Bottom line? Whether it's F1, NASCAR, or IndyCar, it's a financial battlefield as much as a racetrack. Teams are getting creative with fan engagement, merchandise, and even esports to boost those revenue streams. Some teams are born from pure passion, while others are straight-up businesses, but in the end, it's all about survival in the race of speed.

MEMBER FEATURE

From Royal Navy Deck Officer to Sim Racing Mogul

Tom Bunten, aka “Tom from Grid Finder”, a name that may sound familiar to many sim racing enthusiasts here, has been on a journey that’s been nothing short of adventurous. His career began at sea, traveling to 50+ countries and experiencing life on various ships, from aircraft carriers to LNG carriers, including a career highlight earlier on, being selected as Captain of a Royal Navy patrol boat. Afterwards, Tom had transitioned to the Merchant Navy, proving his love for seafaring.

However…

His knack for adventure didn't stop there. In late 2020, during a break from the sea, Tom founded Grid Finder. What started as a lockdown hobby quickly turned into a mission to connect sim racing communities. Grid Finder became a go-to resource for racing enthusiasts across platforms such as PlayStation, XBOX, and PC.  

2024 was a big year for Tom and his team. In January of 2024, Grid Finder was acquired by RAFA Racing Club. Not one to rest on his laurels, Tom had pitched the idea to the RAFA team to acquire Traxion.gg from Motorsport Games. After a successful acquisition, a shared mission statement was formed. “To build the best online space for gamers to enjoy racing.”

When Tom’s not building his sim racing empire, he enjoys tennis, golf, gliding, and Lego Technic projects.

What will Tom conquer next?

AROUND THE WEB

During this month: March 27, 1994, Michael Schumacher won the season opener Brazilian Grand Prix. This victory was the first win for Schumacher driving for Benetton, and he lapped the entire field.

That’s neat: F1’s Beyond The Grid interviews Liam Lawson and they go in-depth on his new role in Red Bull Racing and his work ethic and previous path to get to where he is now.

Wow: Brad Pitt's back in the fast lane! The newest trailer for the F1 movie just dropped – ready for a sneak peek at the plot?

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